Manchester City working on Messi signing within Financial Fair Play framework (ESPN)

 Manchester City are reportedly looking into whether it will be possible to sign Barcelona captain Lionel Messi this summer.

The Barcelona legend has reportedly expressed doubts about his future at the Camp Nou, particularly after the humiliating 8-2 defeat against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.

And City, managed by Messi's former boss Pep Guardiola, are exploring whether a deal would be possible with regards to Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, according to ESPN, if Barcelona are willing to negotiate a fee lower than Messi's €700million (£631million) release clause.  

The report details that some Barcelona board members are open to selling their 33-year-old, if he pushes for a move away this summer.

Barcelona appointed former Southampton, Everton and The Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman as the club's new manager last week, and Koeman discussed Messi's future with the man himself.

Messi has only ever played for Barcelona, but after a disappointing conclusion to the 2019-20 season - after also missing out domestically as they surrendered their La Liga title to fierce rivals Real Madrid -  the Argentine is reportedly considering his furure.

His contract at Barcelona runs out next summer, yet Barcelona's official stance is that they would not sell below his staggeringly high release clause figure.

From City's standpoint, a deal would be particularly tricky in light of the coronavirus crisis and their recent financial problems with UEFA and FFP.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned City's two-year European ban last month, an original punishment set by UEFA for violating FFP regulations.

A deal for Messi, with fee and wages included, could break the world record for a transfer, when Neymar moved to PSG from Barcelona in 2017 for £200million.

Yet Messi enjoyed arguably the greatest years of his career at Barcelona under Guardiola from 2008-2012, winning the Champions League twice and La Liga three times.

City chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak has insisted more signings are set to occur at the Etihad during this window.

"We'll sensible and pragmatic about it but we will do what it takes, I think you've seen when it comes to the two acquisitions we have made, [Nathan] Ake and Ferran Torres, we moved quickly," he said.

"There are additional players we will be bringing in and we stick to the plan, obviously within the realities of the market that we live in today."

While according to Argentine media Ole, Lionel Messi will announce his decision, which he has already taken, in next few hours regarding his future.

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                                                                                                                      Saif 

                                                                                                           

Chong joins Werder Bremen on loan

 Manchester United winger Tahith Chong has joined Werder Bremen on a season-long loan deal.

Chong recently signed a new contract with United until 2022, with an option to extend for a further a year. One of the conditions on which Chong signed a new contract was going out on loan for the next season and his wish has been granted by United.

Speaking to the Bremen's official website, Chong said: " I already knew about the club and how big Werder are in Germany when I first spoke to the coach.The decision was a very easy one. The approach of the club is also excellent so I knew straightaway that this will be the right team for me."

When asked if he would like in to follow the footsteps of the likes of De Bryune and Gnabry, who Bremen played a big part in their development, Chong replied: " It's definitely in the back of your head when you come here. The club's history and reputation for helping players like Gnabry and De Bryune advance their careers is always good to hear, so I'm sure this is the right place for my development.

Chong can still have a future at United if he impresses on loan at Werder Bremen. He has made the right choice to go to the Bundesliga, which has become a development centre of Premier League young talents in recent years like Sancho, Nelsson, Origi and many others. Hope Chong has a successful season with Werder and breaks through in the United set-up. By the way, you look good in green Tahith.

GGMU

Cheers,

Arbab

OFFICIAL: De Bruyne named EPL Player of the Season for 2019-20

 Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has named Premier League Player of the Season for the season 2019/20.

The Belgian playmaker beat Liverpool trio Jordan Henderson, Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Southampton striker Danny Ings, Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope and Leicester City's Golden Boot award winner Jamie Vardy to the award.

De Bruyne was only Manchester City player to be nominated for the prize after they relinquished their Premier League title to Liverpool following two seasons as champions.

But even if City's domestic campaign fell short of their previous lofty standards, De Bruyne enjoyed hs most productive season since arriving at the Etihad in 2015.

As well as recording 20 assists - equalling the league record set by Thierry Henry in 2003 - he also scored 13 times to help City finish as the division's highest scorers for the third successive season.

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Manchester City in pole position to sign Messi if he decides to leave Barcelona

 Manchester City reportedly believe they lead the chase should Lionel Messi decide to leave Barcelona after their humiliating 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.

The 33-year-old has become more and more disgruntled with life at the club in recent times and his contract is set to expire next summer.

And the Daily Mirror have reported that Manchester City would pay 'whatever it takes' to lure him over to the Etihad Stadium and reunite with former manager Pep Guardiola.

They believe a move to the club to reunite with his most successful manager at Barcelona would be enough to secure him ahead of other teams who might be interested.

Messi has been linked with a move away from Barca after clashes with the club's hierarchy and he has recently also been linked with Inter Milan.

After disappointments against Rome and Liverpool in the Champions League the past two seasons, Messi had one of his worst nights in a Barcelona shirt as he was powerless to stop a relentless Bayern Munich smashing them out at the quarter-final stage once again.

Despite his recent displeasure with the goings on at the club, Messi has yet to decide what his future will be and City will be one of several clubs keenly watching to see if he decides to commit his future to the club or not.

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Manchester City 1-3 Olympique Lyon: Moussa Dembele nets brace as French side advance to semi-final

Manchester City were dumped out of the Champions League by Lyon after two goals from Moussa Dembele after he came off the bench.

MATCH EVENTS

10' CHANCE! Marcal's shot saved by Ederson

12' Yellow Card! Dubois booked

24' GOAL! Man City 0-1 Lyon (Cornet)

39' CLOSE! De Bruyne's free-kick denied

43' CLOSE! Rodri's shot saved

45' MISS! Sterling's shot cleared off

56' SUB! Mahrez replaces Fernandinho

58' Yellow Card! Rodri booked

60' AGAIN! De Bruyne's free-kick denied

66' MISS! De Bruyne's free-kick wide out

69' GOAL! Man City 1-1 Lyon (De Bryune)

71' Cornet goes down in the box but ref says no penalty!

73' NICE TRY! Jesus' shot denied

79' GOAL! Man City 1-2 Lyon (Moussa Dembele)

86' Unbelievable miss by Sterling in front of an open goal

87' GOAL! Man City 1-3 Lyon (Moussa Dembele)

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Manchester City transfer round-up (Sky Sport)

 It's shaping up to be a busy summer transfer window for Manchester City, but could they be in the market for Napoli defender Kaliduo Koulibaly to add to the acquisition of Nathan Ake?

Should City target Kaliduo Koulibaly?

City are looking to sign as many as as four more players during the transfers window and want their business done by the start of the new season on September 12.

Despite the £41million capture of Ake from Bournemouth already this summer, defenders remain the priority but deals for a left-back and a second centre half - most likely Napoli's Koulibaly - are still some way off.

European football expert Gabrielle Marcotti believes the Senegal international has the attributes to replace Vincent Kompany, but believes City may find competition from their neighbours.

"Koulibaly is an exceptional defender. He's an intelligent player and a great leader. He has a lot of the Kompany-type qualities that you would want.

"He would also cost a fortune because from Napoli's perspective, they're at the stage where they don't need to sell him. They would have to get an offer which would be hard to refuse. There was a talk of a non-official agreement where if they got an £80million or £90million offer, they would let him go. But that is a ton of money to spend on a guy who is 29 years old.

"It would mean Pep Guardiola would be happy to bring a guy in who would be a 'plug-in and play leader'. The only thing I would say about Koulibaly is that on the ball he's not but he hasn't got the kind of central midfielder skills that Guardiola seems to like in his centre-backs.

"The only other clubs that could come in for him is Manchester United, but Napoli don't feel there's another club in Europe that would be able to afford the kind of fees required."

Sky Sports reporter Sheth believes Guardiola could offload at least one centre-half in order to facilitate a move for Koulibaly.

He said: "I can't think of a window that's gone by where he's not linked with a move to England but it's not yet materialised. You just wonder if this window is when that move because a reality.

"With Nathan Ake having arrived, the doubts will only increase over John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi and it's looking more and more next season the way Guardiola is looking to reshape the squad.

"There could be even more movements as well in that defensive area as Eric Garcia rejected a new contract offer. He has entered the final 12 months of his current deal, but has the arrival of Ake forced him to think his future lies elsewhere?

Would Lautaro be a good replacement for Aguero?

Meanwhile, speculation remains surrounding the future of Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez - despite his agent Carlos Beto Yaque admitting he sees no substance to reports of a move to Barcelona, describing the link as "more in the media than in real life".

The La Liga side had been hoping to strike a part-exchange deal for Neymar that would see Antoine Griezmann join Paris Saint-Germain, while Inter striker Martinez has been their top target following an impressive season in Serie A.

The player's £98million release clause expired on July 7 with Martinez currently focused on helping Inter in their quest to win the Europa League - and our panel of experts believe City could prove a more likely destination, given Guardiola's need to look towards life after Sergio Aguero. 

"Barcelona have linked him for a long time but it seems that interest is now at an end," Sheth continued. "With the financial impact of Covid-19, the Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu said the club wouldn't be pursuing him now. His current deal at Inter has three years left to run, but even the richest clubs are not immune to having to make budget constraints.

"Barcelona have made losses during the pandemic of a reported £200million, and you just wonder if Barca's stance on Martinez has opened the door to a club like Manchester City are interested in Martinez and Guardiola is looking for a long-term replacement for Aguero.

"He's 32 years old now and has now entered the final year of his contract. He's spoken publicly before about his desire to finish his career in Argentina so City are no doubt keeping an eye on that situation."

The Athletic have reported City had enquired about the availability of Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix, who has endured a difficult start following his £113million move last year from SL Benfica.

Marcotti believes it would be unfair to compare Martinez with his compatriot, but would see the value in City targeting the striker as an option when Aguero does depart the Etihad.

He said: "He's had a very good season, although he did tail off a bit since the restart - possibly because he was unsettled by the rumours. If you compare what Aguero was doing when was Lautaro's age, at 22, Aguero was well ahead. It doesn't mean Lautaro won't improve, and I don't think we're talking about a player of Aguero's quality yet but players develop at different speeds.

"I don't think Inter right now are especially worried. The suggestions are that the release clause has now expired. That doesn't mean you can't do a deal, but if City have approached Lautaro's people then they've done it very quietly as that hasn't bounced around at the Inter end. Inter's intention is keep him for another season... there's talk of a new contract and a pay rise but City certainly need to start thinking of a succession plan to Aguero."

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Guardiola hopeful Aguero could return to UCL last 8 mini tournament

 Manchester City haven't given up hope of Sergio Aguero making a dramatic return in time for the Champions League last eight mini tournament in Portugal.

Aguero, the club's record goalscorer, hasn't played since injuring his knee against Burnley on June 22 and is currently in Barcelona receiving specialist treatment from Dr. Ramon Cugat.

City don't play until Saturday for their quarter-final match against Lyon with the Champions League final scheduled for August 23 leaving Pep Guardiola with the possibility of being able to call upon his star Argentine striker.

"He's getting better but I don't know when he will join up with us," said Guardiola, after Friday night's 2-1 victory against Real Madrid booked City's place in the last eight.

"Hopefully he will be in Portugal with us but tomorrow is tommorow. We will speak with the doctors. That's when we will see what the situation is."

The Argentine has been undergoing rehabilitation on his left knee three times a day and hopeful of starring to run in the coming days.

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David Silva to sign for Lazio on Monday

 David Silva is expected to sign a three-year contract with Lazio on Monday, arriving as a free agent from Manchester City.

The 34-year-old creative midfielder also had proposals from MLS, specifically Inter Miami, but his father confirmed the player is eager to try a new challenge in Serie A.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, SportItalia, Sky Sport Italia and others, the announcement could come on Monday.

The final piece of the puzzle has been resolved, with news the Biancocelesti have qualified for the Champions League in 2020-21.

Lazio are offering a three-year contract with impressive salary, but also a series of perks, including use of a private jet for trips back to his family in Spain and a driver to take him around the Eternal City.

Silva has been at Manchester City since 2010 and his contract expires at the end of this Champions League season.

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Manchester City 2-1 Real Madrid: Player Ratings

 Manchester City advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid, winning 4-2 on aggregate.

Raheem Sterling scored the opener for the hosts before Karim Benzema got one back, but it was a wonderful goal from Gabriel Jesus that helped seal the tie.

MANCHESTER CITY (4-3-3)

Ederson- 6.5  Not his busiest night but made some smart stops when called upon. Authoritatively came to collect the majority of crosses.

Kyle Walker- 8  Very energetic display and gave Real something else to think about when drifting into the middle of midfield.

Fernandinho- 6  Will look back on Karim Benzema's goal and feel he might have attacked the cross with more gusto. Looked like a man short on games.

Aymeric Laporte- 6  Felt like earlier in the season when Laporte was carrying the back four and did struggle to deal with balls over the top.

Joao Cancelo- 5.5  Lazy defending in the bulid-up Real's equaliser, allowing Rodrygo to glide beyond him far too easily.

Kevin De Bruyne- 7  Given even more freedom than normal and is so threatening when he stretches his legs. Always on the cusp of producing something special.

Rodri- 6  Barely wastes a pass and completed 98% of them in the first half. Might wanted to engage a little more defensively, however.

Ilkay Gundogan- 7  May have seemed another passive display but Gundogan knitted City together nicely. Calm and assured.

Raheem Sterling- 8  Composed finish to set City on their way after smart movement. Not often he starts off the right these days but looked at home.

Phil Foden- 6.5  Unfamiliar false nine position for the youngster, whose diligent running always offers City with an added dimension in an attacking sense.

Gabriel Jesus- 8.5  Won huge number of headers and put a real shift in for the team again. Tremendous effort from the Brazilian, who made the opener. Deserved his goal.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Bernardo Silva (for Foden, 67) - 6

David Silva (for Sterling, 81) 

Nicolas Otamendi (for Rodri, 89)

MANAGER: Pep Guardiola- 7  Guardiola's decision to shake up his front three had the desired effect. City ought to have taken advantage of that more than they did.

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                                                                                                                         Saif

Chong could join Bremen on loan

 Tahith Chong could join Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on loan this season.

Chong, who recently signed a new contract with the club until 2022, would like to go out on loan as opportunities are hard to come by at United. He's failed to impress with whatever opportunity he got, and with the potential arrival of Jadon Sancho limiting his opportunity further, he would prefer to go out on loan somewhere else.

When asked about his future, Choong's agent Erkan Alkan told Bild, " Tahith would like to go to the Bundesliga. We'll talk to Manchester United about it on Thursday."

Werder sporting director Frank Baumann confirmed their interest in Chong and told: " [Chong] is very fast, he comes in from the wing- he fits our profile. We can add two or three more players. Borrowing guys from top clubs like this can make sense to us. Because of our situation, he's a player who could be interesting."

It would be good, if Chong goes out on loan. At Bremen, he would get regular minutes and a chance to show United that he's ready to stake a claim in the starting XI. Bundesliga recently has become a hunting ground for young players from the PL to develop further with opportunities. The notable people are Jadon Sancho, Reiss Nelson, Adamah Lookman, Divok Origi etc. Solskjaer clearly believes Chong has a future at United and this loan will be the perfect opportunity for Chong to repay Ole's faith. Hope you get your loan move, Tahith!

GGMU

Cheers,

Arbab