PEP PLAYS DOWN MESSI REUNION

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has once again played down the possibility of him being reunited with Lionel Messi at the Etihad. 

Reports have resurfaced since Barcelona fell four points behind Real Madrid in La Liga, but Guardiola said: “I’m not going to speak about transfers until the end of the season. My wish is that Messi is going to stay in Barcelona.” 

When pressed on transfer targets and the possibility of seeking reinforcements at centre-back, Guardiola repeated: “At the end of the season. We still have incredible targets to fight for.”

ESPIRITO SANTO RESPONDS TO JIMENEZ COMMENTS

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo refused to be riled after Mexico manager Gerardo Martino said Raul Jimenez should join Manchester United in the future. 

The forward’s international boss believes Jimenez would be better off moving to Old Trafford over Juventus.

Jimenez has scored 24 times in all competitions this season to fire Wolves into sixth in the Premier League and the last 16 of the Europa League. 

He has been linked with a move away from Molineux but, ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Sheffield United, Nuno remained relaxed about Martino’s comments. 

He said: “It’s not an issue for us, we have a competition and a game to play. We have a lot of things in front of us. It’s not the moment to think about anything else. I’m sure Raul is totally, 100 per cent focused on what he has to do at Wolves. 

“They are things which you can’t control, it’s up to you to decide if you pay attention or not. I admire Tata (Martino), he is a big manager, and honestly it doesn’t distract us.”

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CHELSEA STEP UP HAVERTZ CHASE

Chelsea are ready to press ahead with plans to sign Kai Havertz after Bayer Leverkusen’s season ended, reports The Guardian.

The 21-year-old Germany international has been identified by Blues boss Frank Lampard, who is keen to beat the likes of Real Madrid to his signature.

Havertz was part of the Leverkusen side that lost the German Cup final to Bayern Munich on Saturday in what could prove to be his final appearance for the club.

Leverkusen’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League means Havertz is now expected to leave this summer, and it’s claimed he would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge.

BLUES CHASING MILINKOVIC-SAVIC

Chelsea have stepped up their efforts to sign the Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Blues are looking to beat Manchester United, Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain to the Serbia international’s signature.

DECLAN RICE IN DEFENCE?

Chelsea have identified West Ham midfielder Declan Rice as a possible defensive reinforcement, according to The Times.

Frank Lampard is keen to strengthen his defensive options at Stamford Bridge this summer and believes Rice, who came through the ranks at West Ham as a centre-back, could fit the bill.

Rice is under contract at the London Stadium until the summer of 2024 and the Hammers have no intention of losing the 21-year-old, although the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic could force them to sell players.

DORTMUND SET SANCHO DEADLINE

Borussia Dortmund want Jadon Sancho’s future decided by August, according to Ruhr Nachrichten.

The Bundesliga club are keen to prevent a transfer saga overshadowing their preparations for next season and have set a deadline to ensure that outcome.

Dortmund have also reportedly told Manchester United they must pay €120m (£108.6m) to sign the England international, who they are under no pressure to sell for anything less than their valuation.

LACAZETTE LEAVING?

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette is attracting interest from a host of European clubs as his future at the Emirates grows increasingly uncertain.

The 29-year-old Frenchman has found first-team opportunities hard to come by since Eddie Nketiah’s emergence post-lockdown, and L’Equipe claim he is considering his future.

Juventus and Inter Milan are reportedly keen on bringing Lacazette to Italy, while Atletico Madrid want to bring him to Spain.

It’s claimed Atletico could be open to a part exchange deal for Lacazette, with reported Arsenal target Thomas Partey potentially available. 

MANCHESTER CLUBS CHASING KOULIBALY

Manchester City and Manchester United are both interested in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, reports the Independent.

The 29-year-old Senegal international, who has also been linked with champions Liverpool, is valued around the £70m mark.

It’s also claimed City and United have also identified Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar as a potential alternative. 

SOLSKJAER HINTS AT AKE INTEREST

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has dropped at hint at Manchester United’s summer transfer plans in a post-match conversation with Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake, reports the Daily Telegraph.

United are looking to replace defender Marcos Rojo with another left-footed centre-back and Cherries defender Ake is believed to be among the targets.

Speaking after United’s 5-2 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, it’s claimed Solskjaer told the Dutchman: “We need a left-footed centre-back, so keep going.”

Chelsea are believed to have the option to re-sign Ake from Bournemouth in next transfer window for £40m, a fee that could reduce significantly if the Cherries are relegated. 

LAMPARD NOT WORRIED ABOUT ABRAHAM’S CONTRACT SITUATION

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard believes Tammy Abraham‘s prolonged contract negotiations are not affecting his performances.

The 22-year-old reportedly came close to agreeing new terms earlier in the season following a fine start under Lampard.

Abraham has hit 13 Premier League goals but has failed to find the back of the net since a 3-0 win over Burnley on January 11. His only start since the campaign resumed was in the defeat at West Ham last week – otherwise he has played second fiddle to the more experienced Olivier Giroud.

Lampard has put a lot of faith in his talented batch of youngsters and they have been largely successful, with Chelsea sitting fourth in the table. The likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori have all signed new contracts over the past year.

Abraham has yet to follow suit and he has just under two years remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge.

“I think Tammy’s contract, we are not at a critical level with it,” Lampard said on the eve of the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace. “I will leave it with him and the club to discuss that side of it. I don’t think it is something that is clearly in his mind now, at least it shouldn’t be. What needs to be in his mind now is these games we have coming up and how much he can give us on the pitch, whether coming on as a sub or starting the game.”

ARTETA KEEN TO EXTEND CEBALLOS’ TIME AT ARSENAL

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants to strike a deal with Real Madrid to keep hold of midfielder Dani Ceballos.

The 23-year-old Spaniard has become a key figure for the Gunners as his season-long loan has progressed, and he scored the last-minute winner in the FA Cup win over Sheffield United last weekend.

Ceballos also showed his passion for the cause when he charged off the bench back onto the pitch to celebrate Alexandre Lacazette’s clincher at Wolves on Saturday.

And that infectious enthusiasm has clearly rubbed off on Arteta, who said: “I am really happy with him. I love how much he likes to play football, the passion he puts into every training session and in every game. His celebrations, whether he’s on the pitch or on the bench, he puts his life into it. He’s evolving the right way and has become a really important player for us.

“We are talking to the club – obviously we don’t own the player, it’s not in our hands. The clubs need to have communication and see what we can do.”