Football Transfer talk

Senior figures at Barcelona expect Lionel Messi to join Manchester City, with the Spanish club preparing for life without their iconic captain by looking at potential replacements, including Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez.

Messi will boycott Barcelona's first day of training on Sunday, stepping up his efforts to force a move to Manchester City.

Marcelo Bielsa is monitoring developments with Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. The Leeds United manager is a confirmed admirer of his fellow Argentinian who has interest from up to 10 clubs.

Manchester United have held talks with Aston Villa over a deal for Jack Grealish as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also monitors developments with Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek.

Galatasaray are preparing shock move for Manchester United star Fred with the Turkish giants set to make a loan bid for the Brazilian midfielder.

Celtic want at least £40million for Odsonne Edouard as they owe a 40 per cent sell-on fee to his former club Paris Saint-Germain.

England's rugby stars have agreed to pay cuts of almost £6,000 per match when Test rugby returns this autumn as the RFU deals with the financial fall out caused by coronavirus.

Liverpool are seriously considering making a formal move to sign Ismaila Sarr this summer, and are prioritising him over their other transfer target - Wolves winger Adama Traore.

Inter Milan have told Tottenham that they are interested in signing Tanguy Ndombele, but the north London club will need to lower their £55m valuation in order to agree a deal.

Wolves are set to increase their £15m bid for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is rated at £25m by the north London side.

Chelsea have reportedly returned with an improved offer for Rennes' goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, after their opening bid of £15m was rejected.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is interested in bringing Manchester United's Argentinian international keeper Sergio Romero to Goodison Park.

Barcelona and Manchester City both believe Lionel Messi is set for the Premier League with the Catalan club eyeing a compromise worth £250m. With City's lawyers now examining the clause in Messi's contract that gives them hope they can sign the Argentine for free, beleaguered Barca bosses hope that the Blues will agree to a players-plus-cash deal rather than take a £630m gamble in court.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo is stalling on signing a new contract due to worries over his transfer funds.

Manchester City's bid to secure Kevin De Bruyne to a new £350,000-a-week contract has been put on hold following the arrest of the midfielder's agent in Belgium.

Harry Maguire has been given an extended break by Manchester United following his Greek nightmare.

Aston Villa look ready to splash the cash for Ollie Watkins - and offer him a £70,000-a-week contract.

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Red Bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka.

Everton reach agreement with Napoli worth £24m for Allan as Carlo Ancelotti edges closer to reunion with Brazilian, and the Toffees hope to wrap up a deal to sign James Rodriguez this week.

Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek is desperate to join Real Madrid this summer in a blow to Manchester United's hopes of signing him.

Hearts teenager Aaron Hickey is set to fly to Italy within the next 24 hours to sign for Bologna.

Celtic have reportedly 'submitted a formal offer' for Sampdoria defender Omar Colley.

Ryan Kent says he wants to repay Steven Gerrard's faith in him by staying at Rangers.

Celtic have accepted a bid for playmaker Tom Rogic. Neil Lennon has confirmed the club have received a satisfactory offer for the out-of-favour Aussie after he was linked with a move to Qatar.