Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Today's stories feature the latest update on Lionel Messi’s future and Bayern Munich’s pursuit of two world-class superstars. On that note, let's take a look at the major happenings across Europe that made headlines on May 6, 2017:
Lionel Messi rejects Barcelona’s contract offer
Lionel Messi has rejected Barcelona’s opening contract offer, estimated to be in the region of £25m-30m a year, according to Spanish daily AS. The diminutive Argentine has entered the last 14 months of his current contract with the Blaugrana, with his deal set to expire at the end of next season.
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If Barcelona fail to agree on a new deal with the 5-time Ballon d’Or winner, the 29-year-old can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club at the start of 2018. According to the report, Messi’s father – Jorge Messi – met with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu to hold talks but they couldn’t come to an agreement.
However, AS believe that despite the contract stalemate, Messi and the Camp Nou outfit are expected to agree on a new contract as the Argentine wants to stay at the club he has spent 12 successful seasons with.
Alexis Sanchez and Marco Verratti top Bayern Munich’s wishlist
According to German daily Bild, Alexis Sanchez and Marco Verratti top Bayern Munich’s summer transfer wishlist. The Bavarians recently sealed their fifth successive Bundesliga triumph with a 6-0 win over Wolfsburg and are eager to win the UEFA Champions League in the upcoming season and have identified the duo as the players who can help the Allianz Arena outfit achieve it.
Bayern are set to lose out on Xabi Alonso and Philipp Lahm in the summer, with the duo having announced that they will be retiring at the end of the season. The Germans have identified Verratti to fill the void left by Alonso’s departure, however, the Italian is wanted by some of the biggest clubs across Europe and it remains to be seen if Bayern are successful in their attempt to lure the Italian to Allianz Arena.
Alexis Sanchez, on the other hand, has entered the last 14 months of his contract with Arsenal and is expected to leave the club in the summer. With Franck Ribery not getting any younger and the uncertainty surrounding Douglas Costa’s future, the Bavarians have identified the Chilean as the ideal man for the left-wing of Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Manchester City ready to splash €60m for Alex Sandro
Manchester City’s woes in the full-back department is well documented, with all four of the current defenders in these positions available to Pep Guardiola above the age of 31. The Spaniard is looking for an overhaul of his current squad in the summer and is expected to rope in a couple of youngsters, especially in the full-back positions.
According to Italian newspaper Tuttosport, the Etihad outfit have identified Alex Sandro as a long-term option for the left-back role and are willing to offer up to €60m for his services. Sandro's current contract with the Turin giants expires at the end of the 2020 season and according to the report, the decision of leaving Old Lady will depend entirely on the player.
Paris Saint-Germain target Diego Simeone to replace Unai Emery
According to Premium Sport (h/t Sky Sports), Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace Unai Emery as the manager of PSG for the next season. The Spaniard has struggled to help the cash-rish Ligue 1 outfit take the next step in Europe, while he has also failed to continue their domestic dominance.
The report adds that members of the PSG hierarchy are not pleased by the job done by Emery and this has prompted the club to look at replacements and Simeone has emerged as a top target. Simeone is widely expected to leave the Spanish outfit in the summer and has been linked with a host of clubs across Europe.
