All the top stories and transfer rumours from Monday’s national newspapers…
Xavi asks Laporta to sign Messi back next summer,Laporta longing to bring Argentine back to Camp Nou
In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Barcelona president Laporta believes it is his responsibility to ensure Messi has a “more beautiful ending” at the Camp Nou, and also to compete with the state-owned clubs at the level of the rules.
Messi is everything for us, he is probably the greatest and most efficient player for Barca,” said Laporta. For me he is only comparable to Cruyff. But one day it (Messi’s departure) is bound to happen and we have to make decisions based on what we have inherited and be responsible for the work of the players and the coach.”
“I hope the Messi chapter is not over and I think it’s our responsibility to try …… to find a moment to fix that chapter, it’s still open and everything is not over yet so it becomes what it should be and it deserves a more beautiful ending. “
“As Barça’s president, I did what I had to do. But also as Barça president, on a personal level, I think I owe him a debt.”
Next Laporta also spoke about the club’s economic leverage: “At the moment we have a positive net worth and in about a month’s time we have made close to 650 million euros. We had to move quickly and now we have sold 25% of our broadcasting rights, which has added important revenue to the club. The club is now on a sound path: financially, with this money the club will be better off and we have been able to repay the €100 million loan we got through Goldman Sachs.”
Barcelona manager Xavi has asked club president Laporta to sign Lionel Messi back next summer.
Messi, 35, left Barcelona on a free agent last summer and eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain, when he signed with the Ligue 1 giants until 2023.
Now, according to the Daily Sport, Xavi has asked Laporta to bring the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner back to the Camp Nou when Messi’s contract with Paris expires next summer.
It is worth mentioning that Laporta has also previously stated in an interview that he hopes that the story of Barca and Messi is not over yet.
Manchester United handed Denzel Dumfries ‘boost’ by Inter Milan
If United end up sending Wan-Bissaka away, then Tenhaag will try to bring in his compatriot Dumfries, with Inter Milan’s asking price for the Dutch international remaining at €40 million.
The report states that Dumfries’ performances for Inter last season, with five goals and six assists in 45 appearances, have allayed any doubts and unless an offer of at least €40 million comes in this summer, the Blue and Blacks will still need him on the right side to feed Lukaku and Lautaro in the new season.
The report in La Gazzetta Dello Sport further suggests that if United end up sending Wan-Bissaka away this summer, then Tenhaag will be ready to make an offer for Dumfries, while Inter’s asking price for the Dutch star remains at the €40 million (around £34 million) previously reported in the press.
Kounde about to accept personal terms offered by Barca
Kounde is close to accepting the personal terms offered to him by Barcelona.
Romano says that Barca have received indications from Kounde ‘s entourage in the last few hours that the player is ready to accept the terms they are offering and that Xavi is calling for him.
Reports suggest that Chelsea discussed personal terms with also Kounde a few days ago, but neither Sevilla nor the player himself has given them the green light yet.
Haaland: It’s the first time I’ve beaten Bayern; the Community Shield game against Liverpool was the real test
Haaland’s goal helped City beat Bayern 1-0 in the warm-up and after the game he was delighted to say that it was the first time he had beaten Bayern, while he said the Community Shield against Liverpool was the real test.
Haaland said: “Glalish is good and I have to get better too, I have a good connection with him. I like the atmosphere around him, so that will be fun. It’s nice to be back on the green now after six weeks of not playing and I feel good.
“It’s the first time I’ve beaten Bayern, especially as it’s been seven straight defeats before. The quality of the game was good. But the game against Liverpool later in the Community Shield will obviously be the real test.”
Telegraph: Ronaldo’s side expresses gratitude to Manchester United CEO over handling of non-return
According to the Telegraph, for his part, Ronaldo has expressed his gratitude to the CEO of Manchester United regarding the club’s handling of his failure to train with the team.
The report says that United are expected to figure out when Ronaldo will return to the team next week.
United will train next week before flying to Oslo on Friday night to prepare for Saturday’s game against Atletico Madrid and a final pre-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano the following day, a weekend in which it is unknown whether Ronaldo will take part.
The Telegraph says that Tenhaag is ready to go without Ronaldo next season. United have been respectful of Ronaldo’s personal situation, while Ronaldo’s side has thanked club CEO Richard Arnold for the way the matter has been handled, but the United side still wants to get a date for Ronaldo’s return quickly, as a lot of work needs to be done to increase the player’s playing form and integrate him into Tenhaug’s system of play.
As previously reported, Arnold, on the one hand, is very understanding of Ronaldo’s emotions and has agreed to the player’s agent to explore the option of joining another team.
As previously reported, Ronaldo’s thoughts of leaving the club were not only on a competitive level but also for personal reasons, with his family having suffered a difficult period following the tragic death of his son.
Barca 1-0 Real Madrid
Real Madrid took on Barcelona in the Spanish national derby. In the first half, Valverde hit the post with a long-range shot, Fathi missed a good chance, Militant missed and Rafinha scored with a world-beater. In the second half, Asensio came close to breaking through and Courtois made several good saves. The final score was 0-1 for Real Madrid.
Manchester City 1-0 Bayern
Bayern Munich took on Manchester City at the Blue Wave Stadium in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. The game was played for 40 minutes in both the first and second halves due to torrential rain. In the first half Gnabry broke through but the pass was offside to Muller and the goal was disallowed. Then Glalish sent an assist to Harland who made his debut and scored to give City the lead and just before half time B XI crossed the ball in front of the goal and Harland pushed it into the empty net but B XI was offside and scored first. In the second half, Alvarez burst into the box and fired a left-footed shot into the far corner of the net, Esbland’s shot was blocked by Ulreich, then De Bruyne burst in with the ball and split the ball, Mahrez’s shot was blocked by Ulreich. The game ended with Bayern losing 0-1 to Manchester City.
Arsenal 4-0 Chelsea
Arsenal and Chelsea played a pre-season warm-up game in Orlando, USA. In the first half, Zaka assisted Jesus to flick home a one-touch shot before Martinelli assisted Erdgau to extend the advantage and Mount hit the post late on. In the second half, Jesus was withdrawn from the game with an injury, Zaka added a second goal and Lokonga added the icing on the cake with a second read. In the end, Arsenal thrashed Chelsea 4-0.
Manchester United 2-2 Villa
Manchester United and Aston Villa played a pre-season friendly in Perth, Australia. In the first half, Luke Shaw assisted Sancho’s overhead kick and Cash scored their own goal in the closing stages. In the second half, Leon Bailey ran in to pull one back + assisted Chambers’ whistle-stop equaliser. In the end, United conceded two goals in a row to draw 2-2 with Villa.
Tottenham upsets Rangers 2-1
Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur played a friendly match at Rangers’ home ground at Ebooks. In the first half, the two sides exchanged attacks, with Jorak breaking the deadlock, Hyper and Kane missing single goals and Romero missing an open goal. Shortly after the second half, Kane drew level with a shot, and only five minutes later, Son linked up with Kane to score another goal, with several Spurs’ new recruits playing in the match.
THE SUN
Chelsea target Preschel Kimpembe has asked Paris Saint-Germain to allow him to explore his options in the midst of significant interest from Juventus.
West Ham are looking to add Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Breton Diaz to their new attacking force, along with Sassuolo’s Gianluca Scamacca.
Newcastle are set to turn their transfer attention to Burnley winger Dwight McNeil.
Jules Kounde is set to complete his move, signing for Barcelona in a £51 million deal that dashes Chelsea’s long-held hopes of bringing him to the Premier League.
Chelsea and Tottenham both want Newcastle United winger Alan St Maxim but are being held back by his £40 million price tag.
According to reports in France, Nice are planning a surprise move for long-serving Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Fulham want to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Neto but the former Juventus star wants to return to Italy and has set his sights on Napoli.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
The RFU is set to open an investigation into racism at the Newcastle Falcons after recent claims made by Luther Burrell.
DAILY MIRROR
Atletico Madrid supporters launched an online protest after reports emerged that they were interested in signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United.
Juventus have emerged as a possible suitor for Manchester United forward Anthony Martial although it appears the club no longer has any interest in selling him.
DAILY EXPRESS
Frenkie de Jong has been told he needs a pay cut to stay at Barcelona and, according to reports in Spain, he appears willing to do so.
Red Bull Salzburg are not expected to lose teenage star Benjamin Cesc this summer as Manchester United become the latest club to take an interest in the Slovenian striker.
Barcelona boss Xavi has told Memphis Depay he has no future at the club as a number of Premier League clubs continue to keep tabs on his situation.
Tottenham Hotspur are reluctant to let record signing Tanguy Ndombele leave for a cut price, despite him no longer being in Antonio Conte’s plans.
DAILY STAR
Sepp van den Berg will have the chance to shine in the Premier League, but it won’t be at Liverpool as he will join Bournemouth on a season-long loan.
DAILY RECORD
Rangers ready to complete £6m deal for Besiktas defender Ridvan Yilmaz
Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday have shown interest in Rangers’ striker Kemar Roofe.
DAILY MAIL
Manchester United have identified Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as their replacement plan if Frenkie de Jong continues to reject the chance of a move to Old Trafford.
Kalidou Koulibaly rejected an offer that would have paid him £51 million over five years before leaving Napoli to join Chelsea.
Adrien Rabiot has been forced to train with Juventus’ U23 squad as he looks to sign a deal with Lyon or PSG to return to France.
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