MX23RW : Sunday, June 16 03:34:58| >> :120:18042:18042:

Football rumours: Will Lionel Messi join Manchester City?

Football rumours: Will Lionel Messi join Manchester City?
© Reuters
Messi's potential move could be bad news for Harry Kane, according to the football rumour mill.

What the papers say

Lionel Messi's potential move to Manchester City is back on again following Barcelona's announcement he will leave the club as a free agent. City moved for the Argentinian great last year before he was forced to stay at Barca due to contractual clauses and a prohibitive pricetag. But the Catalan outfit's news that they cannot re-sign the 34-year-old under La Liga finance regulations means City are now back in the hunt to secure him, the Manchester Evening News reports. Paris St Germain, however, have also been linked to Messi.

This all appears bad news for another big name striker – Harry Kane – who has been holding out for a transfer to City, according to the Daily Express. Kane appeared to say his farewells at Tottenham's last match of last season, and has made a bold move by not reporting to Spurs training this week. City were the highest bidders for his services, but even then the club's £130million offer fell short of Tottenham's £160m valuation of Kane. If City sign Messi, it appears even more clear that Kane will be forced into an embarrassing climbdown and stay at Spurs.

Belgium v Wales – FIFA World Cup 2022 – European Qualifying – Group E – King Power at Den Dreef Stadium
Belgium's Romelu Lukaku's potential return to Chelsea may have struck a hurdle (PA)

Romelu Lukaku's mooted return to Chelsea might also have hit the doldrums, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Lukaku has been linked this week with a switch from Inter Milan back to his old London home, with Chelsea reportedly willing to raise their bid from £87m to £100m. But Inter chairman Steven Zhang now says he wants to take more time to consider whether he wants to sell the 28-year-old Belgium striker.

Manchester United are still keen to sign England defender Kieran Trippier but his club Atletico Madrid will not budge on their £34m asking price, according to The Sun. The 30-year-old is reportedly keen to return to the Premier League and United would love to have him, but the Old Trafford side feel £18m is a more realistic price.

AFC Bournemouth v Lazio – Pre-Season Friendly – Vitality Stadium
Lazio's Joaquin Correa could be headed to Arsenal if the Gunners increase their offer (John Walton/PA)

Arsenal want to sign Lazio's Argentina striker Joaquin Correa but the two clubs are wide apart on a price, Corriere dello Sport reports. The Gunners have bid £17m for the 26-year-old, but Lazio consider this "inadequate" and would prefer a figure closer to £28m. Everton are also said to be interested.

Social media round-up

Players to watch

Houssem Aouar: The 23-year-old Lyon midfielder is keen on a move to Arsenal this summer, The Sun reports.

PFA Sky Bet Championship Team of the Year
Blackburn Rovers' Adam Armstrong could be London-bound (Richard Sellers/PA)

Adam Armstrong: Blackburn's 24-year-old striker could be off to Crystal Palace, with talks between the two clubs at an advanced stage, according to Sky Sports.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa: Fulham's 25-year-old Cameroon midfielder could be off to Jose Mourinho's Roma, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

ID:458315:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8645:

Click here for more stories about Harry Kane

Click here for more stories about Tottenham Hotspur

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Argentina's Lionel Messi during the match on June 9, 2021
Read Next:
PSG 'already in direct contact with Lionel Messi'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Sunday, June 16
 
5pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 17
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 18
 
5pm
Wednesday, June 19
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Thursday, June 20
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Group Stage
Spain
vs.
Italy
Friday, June 21
 
2pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 22
 
5pm
 
8pm
Sunday, June 23
 
8pm
 
8pm
Monday, June 24
 
8pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 25
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 26
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
Tuesday, July 2
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany11003
2 Switzerland Switzerland11003
3 Hungary Hungary10010
4 Scotland flag Scotland10010

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Spain Spain11003
2 Italy Italy11003
3 Albania national flag Albania10010
4 Croatia Croatia10010

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!