The transfer window for all of Europe’s big five leagues is closed, but that doesn’t stop Transfer Talk from rummaging around about who will be moving where come January.
TOP STORY: Messi can leave Barcelona for free
Lionel Messi IS Barcelona, so plenty of eyebrows have been raised by the revelation that his contract has a clause in it which allows him to depart the club for free in 2020 so long as his destination is not “elite” — read: anywhere in Europe’s big five leagues.
Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo are reporting that the club are keen to tie him to a new contract which would see him retire with the Blaugrana – extending his deal from a 2021 expiration to 2022 or 2023 — when Messi would be 35 or 36.
But while the No. 10, who many consider to be the GOAT, has always said he wants to return to play for Newell’s Old Boys, we wonder how many clubs will tank the 2019-20 season in order to be considered ‘unelite’ just to get their hands on the little master.
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08.00 BST: Sources have told ESPN FC that Liverpool do not have the option of a recall in Harry Wilson‘s loan deal with Derby. The midfielder bagged another brilliant goal for Wales on Tuesday and, with a number of growing injury concerns at the club, Liverpool can’t just bring him back to help out.
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Sterling brace draws Real interest
Following his impressive brace for England in a 3-2 win against Spain this week, the Daily Mail are reporting that Real Madrid see Raheem Sterling as a realistic transfer target.
The attacker has just over 18 months left on his deal at Manchester City, and the report states that the club fear his value will decline rapidly should he enter the last year of his contract next summer.
Although Sterling has performed to a high standard at club level in recent years, he had yet to fully replicate this on the international stage, but his performance in Seville saw him turn a corner and score his first goals for country in three years.
The side from the Spanish capital noticed how well he did against La Roja’s defence and ramped up their interest in a player they have been monitoring in since his time at Liverpool. They see the 23-year-old’s contract situation as an opportunity to make their move.
No offers for Piatek despite Chelsea interest
Poland hotshot Krzysztof Piatek has found scoring goals a piece of cake at Genoa this season, netting nine in seven games in Serie A and four in one game in the Coppa Italia.
He is Chelsea’s No. 1 target, according to the Express, as they look to find reinforcements in forward areas due to inconsistent displays from Alvaro Morata.
Chelsea have hit the ground running under new manager Maurizio Sarri, but they are looking for a player to take some of the weight off the shoulders of Eden Hazard.
“There has been no official offer for our player from any club,” said the player’s agent, Szymon Pacanowski, speaking to CalcioNapoli24.
“Many clubs have contacted us in recent weeks, but I cannot name them.”
De Gea set for new deal at Manchester United
David De Gea is next in line for a new contract at Manchester United once the club have sorted new deals for Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw, according to the Evening Standard.
They plan to activate a clause that will automatically secure the services of the Spain goalkeeper for an extra year, potentially extending his stay until 2020.
De Gea had regularly been linked with a move to Real Madrid, but since the European champions signed Thibaut Courtois, those stories have understandably died down.
The United No. 1 is widely considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but if the club continue to operate below that standard, a new contract could be a tool to retain his value more than keep him at the club long-term.
His current deal expires at the end of this season, and for United to lose a player who has been so important to them in recent years for nothing would be unthinkable.
Tap-ins
— Following England’s win against Spain, a Marca journalist asked Harry Kane if he would consider a move to Real Madrid. “Sorry, not today,” came the reply from Kane, leading to speculation that tomorrow or the day after would be his preferred time to discuss the move.
— Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo believes Barcelona are planning to sign former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic on loan from Zenit St Petersburg before looking for a long-term solution at the back next summer.
— Miguel Almiron to Arsenal was a bogus rumour, according to a report on Atlanta United website Dirty South Soccer. The fan site did some digging and found that the initial story was unreliable to say the least, but the Paraguayan midfielder continues to impress in Major League Soccer, so will naturally attract interest from elsewhere.