Top ten pieces of today’s gossip are:
1) There are rumours that Lionel Messi’s dad is already in England where he is trying to orchestrate a transfer to Manchester City on a two year deal where he would link up with ex-boss Pep Guardiola.
2) Whilst there are numerous clubs being linked to Messi it is understood that any team that gets to sign him will have to pay about £90m a year to match his wages at Barcelona. Clubs that have been linked include the two Manchester clubs, Chelsea, Inter Milan, PSG and even Napoli has been mentioned as a romantic notion that he could follow Maradona’s footsteps.
3) Messi is expected to attend training with Barcelona on Monday to avoid legal problems with the club but is keen to move.
4) Manchester United are said to have the funds to move for Messi, but Borussia Dortmund and England winger Jadon Sancho, 20, remains their primary target.
5) As well as allegedly upsetting Messi. new Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman also told Uruguay striker Luis Suarez, 33, that he was not needed and to start looking for a ew club.
6) Bournemouth winger David Brooks, 23, is available for a transfer and the Wales international could be a cheaper alternative for Manchester United than Sancho at £108m.
7) Tottenham are reportedly close to signing Wolverhampton Wanderers right-back Matt Doherty. The Midlands club are looking for around £20m for the 28-year-old Republic of Ireland defender but Spurs are looking to pay less. His Old League of Ireland club Bohemian FC have a 10% sell-on clause which would be a huge financial boost to the team that are currently second in their league.
8) Champions League winner Thiago Alcantara looks set to leave Bayern Munich with the Bundesliga club wanting around £30m. Premier League winners Liverpool are favourites to sign the 29-year-old Spanish midfielder.
9) Manchester United have made a move for French defender Benoit Badiashilehad but their £22m bid has been turned down by Monaco.
10) It has been believed that Edinson Cavani has rejected a summer move to Juventus because he didn’t feel he could play for the Italian giants due to his loyalty to former club Napoli. The 33-year-old Uruguay striker is currently available on a free transfer as he left Paris St-Germain at the end of last season.
For Wednesday’s TIBS Newsbytes click HERE.
