Barcelona are not ready to let Lionel Messi leave, labeling the club legend as “non-transferable” as a quartet of European giants circle the striker.
The 33-year-old has reportedly told new manager Ronald Koeman that he has his doubts about staying in Barcelona after a hat-trick of humiliating Champions League defeats.
But Mundo Deportivo reports that the Catalan giants have no plans to entertain a transfer request for one of the greatest players of all time.
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A sticking point for Messi who remains at Barcelona is club president Josep Bartomeu, whom the Argentine has no faith in, although he interrupts his vacation to talk to Koeman about his concerns.
In that chat, Messi allegedly told Koeman that he is “more out than in” in Barcelona with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City favorite to catch him should he become available.
He is also monitored by Paris Saint-Germain, Inter and Juventus, according to the Spanish news, Sport.
Messi still has a one-year contract and a release clause worth over $ 1 billion.
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Arsenal are close to their second signing of the summer with Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes reportedly completing his medical examinations at the club.
The 22-year-old is a hot property across Europe with Napoli believed to be in the running for his signing with Kalidou Koulibaly expected to leave for Manchester City.
The Italian giants appear to be too late, however, with the Times reporting that the formalities are nearly complete for Gabriel’s £ 27 million ($ 49.4 million) transfer to Arsenal.
Gabriel’s signing would come shortly after Arsenal secured Brazilian winger Willian from Chelsea.
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West Ham is desperate to dump Jack Wilshire and is reportedly willing to subsidize his salaries if a club takes him out of their hands.
Wilshire’s injury problems continued in East London and the Hammers are now looking to wipe his £ 100,000-a-week ($ 183,000) wage bill from his books.
The Times reports that if a club wishes to sign the midfielder for less than that amount, West Ham will cover the wage gap until June 30 next year, when his Hammers contract is set to expire.
Wilshire joined the Hammers from Arsenal two years ago but only started six games.
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