Messi inches closer towards Barca exit
Lionel Messi has rejected a new contract offered by Barcelona, according to reports from AS. The reports claim that the Catalan club had offered Messi a salary of €30-35m per year, which the Argentine superstar has turned down after discussions with his father and agent Jorge Horacio Messi.
Despite the setback, the club is confident of agreeing on a new deal with the 29-year-old star whose current contract ends at the end of the 2017-18 season. Barcelona are aware of the Premier League’s growing interest in Messi, especially from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who are prepared to make the Argentine the highest paid player in European football.
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£51m raid for Coutinho this summer
Philippe Coutinho could follow Luis Suarez’s footsteps by moving to Barcelona this summer. Coutinho had been linked with a move to Camp Nou in recent seasons and according to AS, the Catalan club is preparing a £51m summer bid for the Brazilian playmaker.
AS understands that Barcelona want to reunite Neymar with his long-time friend to ensure he signs a new deal with the club.
However, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague feels that there is no truth in these rumours. In a recent interview with Liverpool Echo, Balague said: "There are more stories coming out that Barcelona want Coutinho and he is willing to go.
"I have no doubt he is willing to go, but Barcelona are not after him. They are just moves the agents are making to try to convince Barcelona to move for him. But they do not want him."
Barcelona hopeful of changing Mbappe’s decision
According to reports from Spanish outlet Don Balon, Barcelona are attempting to hijack Kylian Mbappe’s move to Real Madrid this summer. Reports on Friday suggested that Real Madrid had agreed a €100m deal to sign the player with Mbappe also giving the move his seal of approval.
However, Don Balon understands that Barcelona are prepared to outbid their closest rivals and fight till the end for Mbappe’s signature. The French striker has been in sublime form this season scoring 24 goals and has attracted interest from all the major European clubs.
His future is still up for grabs as Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Barcelona are locked in a 3-way battle to sign him with AS Monaco only willing to sell him for a transfer fee of over €120million.
Real Madrid closing on Bellerin
Spanish publication Don Balon understands that Real Madrid have entered the race to sign Arsenal’s right-back Hector Bellerin and are prepared to offer Danilo in exchange to wrap up the deal quickly. Barcelona are also interested in signing the Spanish defender, however, they are currently busy trying to convince Lionel Messi and Neymar to sign new deals.
Manager Zinedine Zidane is worried about Carvajal’s recurring injuries and does not feel Danilo has what it takes to be a Real Madrid player. Los Blancos are ready to match Barcelona’s offer for Bellerin, who wants a way out of Arsenal following a mediocre season at the Emirates.
