Following another frenetic weekend of action throughout Europe’s big leagues, the agenda switches once more to the transfer window with just 10 days to go before its closure.
Judging by speculation on Monday, there are still plenty of twists and turns ahead as clubs battle to strengthen their squads, until January at least.
And one man dominating the headlines in our gossip round-up is Lionel Messi.
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While Barcelona need their club legend more than ever right now, it has not stopped the media linking the Argentine superstar to Manchester City.
According to the Daily Record, Pep Guardiola is doing all he can to bring his former star to the Premier League during the summer transfer window.
The outlet reports that Messi’s representatives met with Sky Blue officials last week for tentative talks, with the full outcome of that meeting apparently not yet known.
Rumours have been prevalent in the Spanish press that the 30-year-old, who only penned a record-breaking new contract last month, is still disgruntled with the sale of close team-mate Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain.
For the footballing world, the prospect of Barcelona selling Messi seems unthinkable but sources close to City have revealed they feel more confident than ever that they could reach an agreement for Leo.
Any such deal would not happen on the cheap, though – with a new world-record fee, above Neymar’s €222m price-tag, touted for arguably the greatest player of all time.
Messi was instrumental against Real Betis on Sunday night.
The La Masia academy product has signalled his intention to stay and fight for his place at the Nou Camp following his goalscoring display in Sunday’s home victory in La Liga.
Roberto operated in a midfield role, tapping in Barca’s second goal, in an all-action display that would have pleased boss Ernesto Valverde who is tackling the new season with a threadbare squad.
It had been previously suggested that Blaugrana were happy to sell the 25-year-old, who struggled for form last term.
However, Barca hierarchy are thought to have changed their mind and now want Roberto to stay and fight for his place.
And that is exactly what the full-back come right winger has on his mind, too – amid suggested interest from Chelsea and Manchester City.
“I started at the Bernabeu (in the Spanish Super Cup), the coach gives me confidence and I scored and I want to continue being an important player,” he told media after the league opener.
“During the pre-season I did not start much but now in the official matches I am playing more.”
Set to stay: Sergi Roberto is contracted to the Catalan giants until 2019.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set for talks with former flame Manchester United at the start of September following his rapid return to full fitness from the knee ligament injury he suffered in April.
The Swedish star, who is never shy of posting what he’s up to on social media, looked in better shape than ever when he was seen kicking a boxing punch bag acrobatically in the gym on Sunday.
While the Red Devils decided not to renew his expiring contract in the summer – mainly due to his long injury lay-off – Jose Mourinho has always left the door ajar for his return to Old Trafford.
Indeed, Zlatan became a cult figure on Manchester last season – scoring 28 goals – and the Reds could acquire his services once again on a free transfer – according to ESPN.
Given record signing Romelu Lukaku’s goalscoring start to the campaign and increasing contributions from Anthony Martial, United’s striking need isn’t as urgent as before.
That said, a fit and healthy Zlatan brings that extra spark and big-game presence which will be needed later in the campaign as Mourinho’s men challenge for trophies both on the domestic and European front.
Which knee? @azsportswear#azbyzlatanpic.twitter.com/xp3Aqmgdkv
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) August 20, 2017
