Transfer rumours: Lionel Messi to be reunited with Pep Guardiola at Man City | Thiago Alcantara on his way to Liverpool | Chelsea closing in on £80m left-back

Manchester City are the front-runners to sign Lionel Messi.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Spain’s Esporte Interativo reports Messi has demanded an immediate exit from Barcelona after Friday’s 8-2 Champions League embarrassment against Bayern Munich, which he felt was the result of a long-term lack of planning at the Catalan club.

City – one of only a small list of clubs that could cope with Messi’s wage demands – are first in line to sign the 33-year-old, a move which would reunite him with one of Barca’s most successful managers, Pep Guardiola.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, Chelsea want City’s out-of-favour defender John Stones even if they are also successful in their pursuit of Brighton centre-back Lewis Dunk, the Daily Mirror reports.

Lionel Messi during Barcelona's humbling at the hands of Bayern MunichLionel Messi during Barcelona's humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich
Lionel Messi during Barcelona's humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich

Chelsea are also closing in on Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, according to The Independent. The Foxes want £80m.

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara has agreed a four-year deal with Liverpool, France’s RMC Sport reports.

Arsenal have agreed terms for captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to stay at the club and are close to signing Brazil defender Gabriel Magalhaes, says The Daily Telegraph.