Transfer rumours: Messi, Lukaku, Romero, Odegaard, De Ligt, Milenkovic, Ward-Prowse
Paris St-Germain are to offer Lionel Messi a two-year deal at a meeting scheduled between the Argentina forward’s father and PSG’s hierarchy on Saturday
Messi’s father contacted PSG to enquire if the French club are in a position to sign the 34-year-old.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has requested an “urgent meeting” with Messi’s representatives after it was announced he will not be staying with Barcelona.
PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino confirmed contact has been made about a potential move, and if Messi does sign for the Ligue 1 side it could prompt France striker Kylian Mbappe, 22, to sign a new deal and spell the end of the club’s pursuit of his compatriot Paul Pogba, 28, from Manchester United.
Messi himself is said to see Manchester City and a reunion with manager Pep Guardiola as his first-choice destination.
Brazil striker Neymar, 29, has offered Messi his number 10 shirt at PSG in an attempt to persuade him to move to the Ligue 1 side.
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero, 33, who joined Barcelona in May after leaving Manchester City, is said to want to leave the Catalan club already after it was announced his close friend Messi was not staying at the Nou Camp.
Chelsea are increasingly confident of agreeing a deal with Inter Milan over the weekend to re-sign Romelu Lukaku, with manager Thomas Tuchel keen to complete the transfer before the start of the new season.
The Blues prefer a player-plus-cash deal for the 28-year-old Belgium striker, while Inter want a cash-only transfer.
Lukaku has agreed personal terms with Chelsea and is waiting for the clubs to complete the move.
Barcelona have agreed terms with Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches, 23, but have yet to agree a fee with his club Lille.
West Ham United remain in talks with Fiorentina over a £14m deal for Serbia defender Nikola Milenkovic, 23, but could face competition from Juventus.
The London club has also put in a fresh bid for Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car, 24, after the Croatia centre-back turned down an offer last summer.
American striker Josh Sargent, 21, is on the brink of completing his move to Norwich City from Werder Bremen.
Real Madrid have blocked 22-year-old Norway midfielder Martin Odegaard’s potential move to Arsenal after Toni Kroos went down injured for the Spanish club.
Southampton have rejected a £25m bid from Aston Villa for James Ward-Prowse and have no intention of selling the 26-year-old England midfielder this summer.
Chelsea want Juventus’ 21-year-old Netherlands defender Matthijs de Ligt and could offer £50m plus Germany striker Timo Werner, 25. Juve, however, are more interested in Italy midfielder Jorginho, 29, in any swap deal that also includes cash.
Everton boss Rafael Benitez is monitoring Salomon Rondon’s situation with Dalian Pro, with the 31-year-old Venezuela striker said to be at risk of being released from his contract with the Chinese club.
West Ham have made a £15m bid for Rennes’ 25-year-old Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd, which the French club are expected to reject.
