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“I’m not going back to Barca, I’m going to Inter Miami”: Lionel Messi reveals his NEXT destination

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will not be heading back to Barcelona but will rather move to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami CF.

The Argentine international’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in the last few months as he was approaching the end of his contract at Parc des Princes.

His former side Barcelona were one of the clubs keen on signing him, with the Spanish club speaking to La Liga to work out a special arrangement that would bring the attacker back to Camp Nou.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal also wanted to sign Messi and offered him a ginormous £ 2 billion deal that would have made him the highest-paid athlete in the world.

But the 35-year-old has decided to join Inter Miami in a deal that reportedly includes an option for the Argentine to become a part-owner of the MLS side.

In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, he said: “I’m not going back to Barça; I’m going to Inter Miami.

“I really wanted [to return to Barcelona], I was very excited to be able to return, but after having experienced what I experienced and the exit I had, I did not want to be in the same situation again: waiting to see what was going to happen and leaving my future in hand from another.

“I wanted to make my own decision, thinking about myself, about my family. Although I heard that it was said that LaLiga had accepted everything and that everything was fine for him to return, there were still many other things that had to be done.

“I heard that they [Barcelona] had to sell players or lower players’ salaries, and the truth is that I didn’t want to go through that, nor take charge of obtaining something that had to do with all that’.

‘I have already been accused of many things that were not true in my career at Barcelona, and I was already a bit tired; I didn’t want to go through all that. And well, by the time I had to leave, La Liga had also accepted that they signed me up, and in the end, it couldn’t be done.

“Well, I was afraid that the same thing would happen again and I had to go through the bullfight as it happened, that I had to come here to Paris to stay in a hotel for a long time with my family, with my children going to school and still being in the hotel… I wanted to make my own decision, and that’s why it was a bit that I didn’t turn to Barça. Although I would have loved it, I couldn’t.

“I am also in a moment where I want to get out of focus a bit, think more about my family. As I was just saying, I spent two years at a family level that was so bad that I didn’t enjoy it. I had the month that was spectacular for me for having won the World Cup, but removing that was a difficult stage for me.”

Joao Cancelo insists Bayern career has been ‘positive’ despite a disappointing start

Bayern Munich full-back Joao Cancelo has insisted that “his heart is in the right place” and is not worried, claiming that his Bayern career has been “positive” despite struggling to get minutes.

The Portuguese international sealed a move to the Allianz Arena in a short-term loan deal in January. The agreement includes a permanent purchase option after the first six months.

However, things have not gone as planned for Cancelo, who has struggled to find his feet in his new surroundings and fell down the pecking order under former manager Julian Nagelsmann.

A change in management did not immediately transform his fortunes as new boss Thomas Tuchel benched him in his first game in charge against Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga. However, despite his struggles in Germany, Cancelo has stated that he is putting everything in training to turn around his fortunes and can “always be counted upon”.

“I see my start at Bayern as positive. There’s always a certain adjustment period for footballers. That’s why I tried to integrate myself into the team as quickly as possible, to get to know the teammates & the system,’ he told the official club website.

“Sometimes it is said that I may not have a very simple personality. But my heart is in the right place,” he added.

“And you can always count on me. Everyone and everything at FC Bayern is focused on absolute success. Here you work really hard in every single training session – I really like this mentality. I’m happy to be here and to play for this great team.”

Despite not getting enough minutes in Germany, Bayern rate Cancelo highly, and the club’s director Hasan Salihamidzic has insisted that “Cancelo is a top player” and “will get his games.”

Lampard to become new Chelsea boss

Chelsea are reportedly close to hiring former player Frank Lampard as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

According to a report by Italian football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano via 90mjn, the Blues are close to reaching an agreement with the Chelsea legend, with the final details currently being finalised.

Lampard has previously managed and played for the club, making 648 appearances and scoring 211 goals during his career at Stamford Bridge.

But he didn’t enjoy so much success as a first team manager of the London side. During his previous short tenure Lampard won 52.4% of his games and was eventually sacked after a run of poor results.

However, he is set to return to the Chelsea dugout, albeit temporarily, following the sacking of Graham Potter. According to Romano, Lampard and Chelsea have an agreement in place, and only the finer details of the deal are still left to be decided.

According to reports, the decision to search for a new temporary coach has come from Bruno Saltor’s unwillingness to continue in the role. Bruno is keen to stay loyal to Potter – the man who gave him a start as a coach when he retired as a player in 2019.

Despite Lampard accepting an interim role, he still fancies himself as good enough for Chelsea and would be keen to find a permanent post.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have opened talks with former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique, who we reported had flown into England with his agents for talks with the Blues regarding a permanent managerial role.

Robert Lewandowski reveals he wanted to join Man Utd

Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed he was eager to join Manchester United earlier in his career when he was still playing for Borussia Dortmund.

The Polish international was among the most sought-after rising stars in 2011 when he received a direct phone call from legendary Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to join the Premier League. But Borussia Dortmund and Jurgen Klopp blocked a potential move.

Lewandowski began his career in the Polish lower leagues at age 16 before landing with top-flight Lech Poznan in 2008. He scored 41 times in 82 appearances across all competitions for the club before earning a move to Borussia Dortmund in 2010. He was a regular in Klopp’s side that won the 2010/11 Bundesliga title.

However, he wasn’t a prolific goalscorer at that stage of his career. Nevertheless, it appears that Man United and Alex Ferguson quickly saw his enormous potential and wanted to sign him around July 2011. United needed a fresh injection up front and would sign Robin van Persie to spearhead their next Premier League title charge the following year, but they also spoke to Lewandowski.

“I remember the moment exactly,” Lewandowski has now recalled in an interview with Sport Bild.

“We had a friendly with Dortmund in preparation, I think, against Bochum. I was subbed at half-time. I looked at my mobile phone in the dressing room. There was a text message with the sender +44. Ferguson had tried to call me and then sent me a message. He wanted to talk to me.

“I was still in the dressing room. I took a shower and called him back in a quiet corner. My English wasn’t as good as it is today. He has a strong Scottish accent. I was so focused on understanding what he meant! Alex Ferguson tried to be considerate and spoke slowly.

“I was 22 years old. It was a special moment. I spoke to Aki Watzke and Jurgen Klopp in the camp. I wanted to go to Man United! But they said: ‘No chance, Robert. We need you. You have to stay.”

Lewandowski stayed back and went on to score 30 goals in all competitions the next season for the first time in his career as Dortmund retained their title. He took the club to the Champions League final against Bayern Munich a year later before a free transfer to the Bavarian side in 2014. He seemed to get even better at Allianz Arena and netted 344 times in 375 games.

Saudi Arabian club preparing a bid to sign Coutinho

A Saudi Arabian club have reportedly set their sights on signing Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho.

The Brazilian midfielder is facing an uncertain future at Villa Park following the arrival of Unai Emery.

He has struggled to make an impact under the Spanish coach and is likely to be sold this summer for the good of the club and the player.

Coutinho is the top earner at Aston Villa after signing from Spanish side Barcelona for an initial loan fee. His performance in the first six months of his arrival under Steven Gerrard made the club sign him permanently.

But since his deal was made permanent, the Brazilian has been off-colour. As a result, Villa wants to cut their losses and are ready to sell him for cheap.

However, his wages appear to be a stumbling block for interested teams in Europe. But according to Football Insider, things could change this summer as an unmanned Saudi Arabian club wants to sign the player.

The club has reportedly prepared a mega bid to make the Brazilian join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League.

Man United preparing bid for Benjamin Pavard

Manchester United have reportedly shown interest in signing Bayern Munich full-back Benjamin Pavard.

The Red Devils are interested in upgrading their right-back department this summer and have identified the French star as the ideal candidate for the job.

Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are the two first-choice right-backs currently at Old Trafford, but Erik ten Hag considers Pavard, a better all-round player than the duo.

According to The Athletic, United are already preparing a bid to bring the World Cup winner to Old Trafford next season. Given his experience and the fact that he is nearing the end of this contract, the Red Devils consider him a safe gamble as he would only cost a little to acquire.

Pavard’s contract with Bayern runs until 2024, and the player has yet to hold talks with the Bundesliga giants over a contract extension. However, with just one year to go in his contract after this season, the Bavarians could be tempted to sell him if they receive the right offer from the Red Devils.

Pavard has made 33 appearances in all appearances for Bayern this season. He has six goals to his name and one assist.

The 27-year-old can play as a right-back and also as a central defender. He joined Bayern in the 2019/20 season from Stuttgart for a reported €35million and has enjoyed remarkable success in his time.

PSG identify Messi’s successor from Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly identified French star Ousmane Dembélé as the player to take over from Lionel Messi should the Argentine leave the club this summer.

Messi’s future is subject to much speculation this summer, given that he has less than three months on his current deal at PSG. The 35-year-old will be out of contract at the end of June and has reportedly put every contract discussion on hold till the end of the season.

As per reports, he wants to finish this season strong with PSG before deciding where to play next. However, several clubs are queuing up for him, including Barcelona, who openly admitted that they have opened talks with him.

Major League Soccer side Inter Miami and at least two Saudi Pro League sides have also indicated interest, while PSG has a lucrative offer already on the table.

However, the Parisians are prepared for the worst-Messi leaving. Should the World Cup winner leave, the French giants will target another Barcelona star; Dembele. According to El Nacional, PSG will go all-out for the French winger this summer if they cannot convince Lionel Messi to stay.

Even though his injury record isn’t excellent, Dembele is seen as one of the most talented attacking players available. The Barca winger only signed a new deal at Camp Nou last summer but could be sold this summer, especially as Barcelona are struggling financially. As a result, the Catalan side could be forced to sell some players to fund the move for new players.

Liverpool ahead of Juventus in the race for Teun Koopmeiners

Premier League giants Liverpool are reportedly ahead of Serie a side Juventus in the race for the signature of Atalanta man Teun Koopmeiners.

The midfielder has been one of the key players under Gian Piero Gasperini, and his form is attracting interest from the two European heavyweights.

The Dutchman predominantly plays as a defensive midfielder but has an eye for goal. His six goals and three assists in 26 appearances for Atalanta this season is better than the contributions of any of Liverpool’s midfielders.

The Reds want to improve their ageing midfield and consider Koopmeiners, a player that can fit into their system. Atalanta under Gasperini are known for their pressing style of football, so the 25-year-old will need little introduction to Klopp’s style.

According to a report on Tuttomercatoweb, Liverpool likes the midfielder, and the Reds are the top side in the race, ahead of Juventus, who are also keen.

Atalanta values the midfielder at 50m euros, a figure that is reportedly within the range of what Klopp’s side are willing to pay, as it is cheaper than what Dortmund want for Jude Bellingham.

Liverpool are desperate to sign the Borussia Dortmund man but is looking more likely that they will be priced out of a move for the young Englishman, who is also attracting interest from Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Draxler and Paredes to return to PSG this summer

PSG loan stars Julian Draxler and Leandro Paredes will reportedly return to the Parc des Princes this summer when their loan deals expire.

Both players left PSG on loan last summer to pursue first-team football, but things have not gone according to plan, and they are set to return to their parent club.

Germany international Julian Draxler joined Benfica, while Leandro Paredes joined Italian Serie A side Juventus. But they will both return to PSG in the summer before looking for permanent moves away from the Parks side.

This is according to football transfer expert Frabizo Romano who tweeted,

“Julian Draxler and Leandro Paredes are both expected to return to PSG at the end of the season, waiting for possible new solutions.

“Juventus are not planning to activate the buy option clause for Paredes at this stage; Draxler is injured and expected to leave Benfica.”

PSG Offered Rashford a huge £400,000-a-week contract amid stalled contract discussions at Man United

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly offered in-from Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford a huge £400,000-a-week contract to ditch Old Trafford for Parc des Princes this summer amid uncertainty over his future in England.

The England man has just one year left on his deal with United. He has opened talks with the Premier League side, but talks between both sides have reportedly stalled recently.

According to The Athletic, there is little progress in discussions between Rashford’s entourage and Man United, with the striker reportedly waiting to find out if the club will be sold to new owners.

As a result, PSG are lurking around, looking to pounce should both sides fail to reach an agreement soon.

The French giants have maintained a keen interest in the 25-year-old since last summer and are willing to match his rising profile with a good monetary offer.

Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi even admitted during the World Cup that the Ligue 1 giants have previously spoken with representatives of the “really amazing” United star.

And now it is reported that PSG had an offer worth more than £400,000-a-week on the table for Rashford at one stage. However, they were unable to tempt the England ace to France.

But if the uncertainty surrounding Rashford’s contract at Old Trafford persists, they will certainly return to try again. So United need to move quickly and decisively if they are to keep a home-grown talent on their books.

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