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The winter transfer window is closed — but now it’s time to look ahead to the summer! Here are the new rumours floating around following the Jan. 31 deadline day:
TOP STORY: Havertz Premier League move tied to Coutinho
Manchester United, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are all tracking Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive playmaker Kai Havertz, reports The Mirror.
The report says Leverkusen are bracing themselves for bids for the 20-year-old in the summer, and that they could be tempted by anyone willing to offer £110 million. Predictably, Bayern are considered the favourites to land the Germany international.
Bayern’s efforts could depend on whether Philippe Coutinho is able to prove that he can be their main playmaker, but Havertz’s form is certainly convincing enough. He scored 20 goals last season and recently became the youngest player to amass 100 Bundesliga appearances, beating previous record holders Timo Werner and Julian Draxler.
Havertz became Bayer Leverkusen’s youngest-ever player in October 2016 when he made his debut aged 17 years, 4 months and 5 days and finished his first season with four goals and six assists in 24 appearances. In 2018-19, he netted 17 goals, the most by any teenager in Bundesliga history.
Of all the clubs interested in his services, Liverpool are expected to be the first to make a tangible bid.
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08.00 GMT: Manchester City are monitoring Lionel Messi‘s public fallout with Barcelona and believe they would be in the running if the Argentina star decides to leave Camp Nou, sources have told ESPN.
Messi has been involved in a row with Barcelona sporting director Eric Abidal over his claims players forced the dismissal of coach Ernesto Valverde.
The 32-year-old reportedly has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave the club for free at the end of the season, although it is unclear whether he could join a Champions League rival like Manchester City. The Premier League holders privately admit his departure remains unlikely, but they would be interested if he decides to move either this summer or at the end of his current deal in 2021.
City maintain they would be at the head of the queue for Messi’s signature because of his strong relationship with director of football Txiki Begiristain, chief executive Ferran Soriano and manager Pep Guardiola.
Together Messi and Guardiola won the Spanish title three times and the Champions League twice in four seasons at Camp Nou between 2008 and 2012. City are also one of only a handful of clubs who could afford Messi’s wages of more £50m a year.
– Marcotti: Messi is challenging Barca hierarchy
PAPER TALK (by Nick Judd): Arteta plans major overhaul at Arsenal
Gunners stars Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette could be available this summer, with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta planning a huge clear-out, according to The Sun.
Arteta apparently has seen enough in his short tenure so far to believe he needs to offload some of the highest-paid stars in his squad before he can bring in some new faces to the Emirates.
The former Man City assistant has been frustrated by his side’s lack of progress since he joined the club, and he’s now plotting some major surgery to his squad ahead of the 2020-21 season.
Six senior members of the Gunners’ squad, including Aubameyang and Ozil, are out of contract in less than 18 months’ time, and head of football Raul Sanllehi has made it clear that no players will be allowed to run down their contracts.
Man City join race for Birmingham wonderkid Bellingham
Birmingham City starlet Jude Bellingham’s list of admirers grows longer by the week, with Manchester City joining cross-city rivals United, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund in the race for his signature, according to The Sun.
Pep Guardiola sent a scout to watch the youngster in action in Birmingham’s FA Cup replay with Coventry City on Tuesday night, with Bellingham already scoring four goals and registering one assist in the Championship this season.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are also said to be interested.
The growing list of would-be suitors will come as a blow to Manchester United, who have been keen to try and get a deal for Bellingham over the line. When a deal failed to materialise in January, they quickly submitted another bid.
However, the Red Devils’ improved winter bid — believed to be made up of a series of add-ons and a certain number of appearances and goals — also failed to impress Birmingham’s board members.
Tap-ins
– Chelsea have had a busy day. Fresh from agreeing a fee for 16-year-old Swedish youngster Edwin Andersson from IFK Gothenburg, Frank Lampard is planning on signing Lille’s 24-year-old goalkeeper Mike Maignan this summer, says the Daily Mail. The Blues have made the keeper their top priority at the end of the season and could make him the first of several signings.
– Manchester City are keeping a watchful eye on Swansea City’s 22-year-old Joe Rodon, reports the Mail. The defender has recently returned from an injury that has kept him out of action since October, and City see him as a potential long-term replacement for Vincent Kompany. Guardiola is said to be a big fan of the Wales international.
– Calciomercato reports that AC Milan are already drawing up their summer shopping list and Turkish international Cengiz Under appears to be on it. Roma weren’t prepared to lose him in January, particularly with Nicolo Zaniolo injured until the end of the season, but their stance could soften in the summer, particularly if Milan are willing to discuss the prospect of throwing Suso into the deal.