🤑 Transfer gossip: A new suitor joins Messi race? Memphis moving? | OneFootball

Welcome to the weekend everyone!

English football technically returns today with the Community Shield this evening but we’re only focused on the latest transfer news here.

Real Talk 👏

We’ll include it in this section as it is ‘quoting’ someone – with El Chiringuito dropping details of an apparently tasty phone call between Lionel Messi and Pep Guardiola last Tuesday.

“That call happened,” claimed reporter Cristobal Soria. “Messi told him ‘I want to win the next two Ballon d’Ors and I can only do that with you’. That’s the killer phrase he used.”

Oh and in addition, Guardiola IS IN Barcelona this weekend. Make of that what you will. He is from there, after all.

There’s more good market news for Chelsea, who appear to be drawing closer to Kai Havertz, as his current club Bayer Leverkusen are seeking to replace him with a double deal for Patrik Shick and Jeremie Boga, per Goal.

“I’m very clear about it,” Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp said of his transfer plans. “I’ll never go to the owner and say this is the money I need to survive.”

As the interview with the German continued, he made it obvious that he really isn’t seeking many more arrivals at Anfield this summer, although Thiago continues to be linked.

“I’ve been here for four years and became captain but I don’t know if I’ll do the full season here, I don’t know the future.”

Those were the words of Lyon star Memphis, who has been linked to Barcelona, last night after Lyon’s win over Dijon when quizzed on his future.

Sky Sports report that Nicolás Tagliafico and Robin Gosens have been identified as Leicester’s potential replacements for the departed Ben Chilwell.

Multiple reports state that Tottenham are on the brink of signing Matt Doherty for €16m, who will be replaced by Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles at Wolves.

Fake News 😡

Normally a very reliable outlet, we’re finding it very hard to believe L’Equipe’s claim that there is a new bidder in the war to sign Lionel Messi.

And that club is Juventus, who of course already have mega money committed to Cristiano Ronaldo, although the thought of those two joining forces is amusing.

While another midfield addition seems possible and he is admired by the club, The Sun’s report that Chelsea are making good inroads for West Ham’s Declan Rice seem some way off the mark as it would also push their summer spending well over €250m.

He only arrived in January and now Krzystof Piatek may be on the move again as Corriere dello Sport say Fiorentina have made Hertha BSC an offer which is heavily incentivised by goals and appearances.

We find it very hard to believe he’ll be allowed to leave – particularly on such a deal. Will nobody let the guy settle down anywhere?

Funniest rumour of the day 🤣

At a time when they are being criticised for their ridiculous transfer policy in signing ageing talents who may be past it …

Sport now report that Barça are seriously interested in acquiring Golden Shoe winner and 30-year-old Lazio ace Ciro Immobile, who is valued at €50 million.

What you missed yesterday 👇

The biggest news concerned Chelsea, who completed the signing of Thiago Silva following his departure from PSG.

And remember former French international Loic Remy? He’s in Turkey now, having joined Çaykur Rizespor.