Barcelona insert €300m release clause in Messi's new long-term deal while Sanchez could stay at Arsenal

Sport360 staff 08:47 05/07/2017
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  • With the transfer window now officially open from July 1, the frenetic nature of speculation is only going to increase.

    Rumours are starting to gather pace and we take a look at the latest stories doing the rounds in the media.

    Will any of the following deals happen?

    Get in touch with your thoughts on Twitter and via Facebook.

    LIONEL MESSI

    Barcelona are set to confirm the new contract for Lionel Messi with the Argentine superstar expected to remain at the club until 2021.

    Marca says the deal will be announced today with the new release clause of €300million thought to be inserted.

    It follows up a busy week for the 30-year-old after he got married last Friday.

    RATING: 10/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    Obviously this is a place for transfer rumours but we can make an exception for this one because the little murmurings earlier this summer that Manchester City could be ready to snare Messi aware from Camp Nou were clearly unfounded.

    Should Messi take up the further one year option he has with the new deal it will take him until he hits the age of 35 meaning there is every chance he will end his career in Barcelona.

    ALEXIS SANCHEZ

    Alexis Sanchez is set to end the transfer talk and see out the rest of his Arsenal contract, according to La Tercera .

    Bayern Munich have been linked but Premier League rivals Manchester City were thought to be heading the queue for his signature but reports now say the Chile international will spend another season under Arsene Wenger’s stewardship.

    His current contract is up in 2018 and Arsenal have offered him a new deal worth £300,000 a week.

    RATING: 6/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    It’s all well and good Sanchez wanting to see out his contract but that doesn’t necessarily mean Arsenal do.

    With City prepared to offer in the region of £50million why would they want to risk Sanchez leaving on a free next summer?

    If he doesn’t want to sign a new deal then it would be wise for the Gunners to sell up and spend the money wisely.

    Chile international Alexis Sanchez

    NABY KEITA

    Liverpool are set for a summer-long saga as RB Leipzig hold firm on their stance not to sell prized asset Naby Keita.

    The Independent reports that Keita has expressed his desire to leave the Bundesliga runners-up and join Jurgen Klopp’s side but Leipzig are adamant they must cough up £70million to get their man.

    Klopp is said to be desperate to sign the 22-year-old midfielder and views his power, frenetic energy and dexterous passing ability as a key requirement as his side tackle Champions League football next season.

    RATING: 7/10

    SPORT360 VERDICT

    Liverpool haggling over transfer fees really is nothing new but one thing is clear; they’re eager to get this deal done.

    Supporters of the Red persuasion are both optimistic and in equal measure pessimistic about signing Keita given the fee talked about but there is no doubting his talent as he emerged as one of Europe’s premier midfield talents last season.

    The ploy of following Southampton’s lead as they wore down Leipzip with their summer-long pursuit of Sadio Mane three years ago could well pay off.

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