The coronavirus pandemic has made the transfer market uncertain -- and you can find out when the windows open here -- but here are the rumours floating around Europe's big leagues and beyond.
TOP STORY: Man City favourites to sign Messi
Two of the biggest Champions League losers this past week might find comfort in each other, with Manchester City prepared to offer Lionel Messi a way out of Barcelona if he wants to exit Spain.
The Argentina star is said to be exasperated with the Catalans after yet another Champions League failure -- this time a 8-2 humbling at the hands of Bayern Munich -- and is entertaining the idea of leaving the Blaugrana, according to the Mirror.
Man City, who suffered a similar Champions League humiliation on Saturday, believe that reunion with Pep Guardiola could be enough to tempt Messi to the Etihad and are prepared to pay the Argentina star "whatever it takes" to make the move a reality.
One obvious stumbling block will be the mammoth €700 million buyout clause that Barcelona have inserted into the 33-year-old's contract, meaning that any move will likely need to be instigated by Messi himself, by way of a transfer request.
Mundo Deportivo reports that Messi is one of only five members of Barcelona's first-team squad who will not be made available for transfer this summer (see 10.49 BST). However, following Neymar's shock €222m move from Barca to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, it seems that no possible transfer can ever be truly ruled out.
- Stream FC Daily on ESPN+
- Olley: City's latest nightmare a result of Pep's tormented tactics
- Hunter: Barca totally unaware UCL humiliation was coming
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22.00 BST: That's it for another day of live Transfer Talk, but we'll be back shortly with tomorrow's paper round. Thanks as always for checking in!
21.20 BST: A pair of Premier League players are on the radar of new Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo, with Sky Sports saying both Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette and Wolves' Raul Jimenez have been identified as potential summer targets for the Old Lady.
20.36 BST: The Mirror is reporting that Manchester United are keeping close tabs on an impending exodus of players from Barcelona, with the Catalans ready to sell nearly any player in their squad with the exception of Lionel Messi, Clement Lenglet, Frenkie de Jong and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
19.49 BST: With Quique Setien's days seemingly numbered at Barcelona, ESPN's Gab Marcotti argues that bringing in former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino would be a "tremendous upgrade" for the club.
However, Marcotti also says Barcelona need to fix their mess of contracts before any manager can properly do their job.
18.53 BST: Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara has "already said goodbye" to his teammates as he is linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, according to talkSPORT.
Sources have told talkSPORT that the only thing left to agree between the two clubs is money and the Spain international has sorted the personal side of the deal.
Thiago has been one of Liverpool's top targets this summer with reports saying the deal will come in at around £25m.
The midfielder played a full 90 minutes in his side's 8-2 dismantling of Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals but is entering the final year of his deal and is eager for a move.
18.10 BST: Borussia Dortmund head coach Lucien Favre has confirmed that the club want to loan Real Madrid youngster Reinier Jesus.
Sources told ESPN's Stephan Uersfeld on Saturday that the Bundesliga side were close to signing the 18-year-old on a one-year loan deal.
"We want to loan him from Real Madrid. But it's not done yet," Favre said after his side dismantled Austria Vienna 11-2 in a preseason friendly.
"He's a young player who can play as a nine-and-a-half, but also as a false striker."
Reinier joined Real Madrid in a €30 million transfer from Flamengo in January.
Any loan deal for the teenager reportedly won't include an option to buy.
17.29 BST: The Daily Mail are reporting that Chris Smalling has snubbed an offer to join Newcastle United as he holds out hope for a return to Serie A.
The Manchester United defender said he was "gutted" on social media after United refused to a short-term extension to his loan at Roma.
The defender performed well in the Italian league over his 30 appearances, even scoring three goals and providing two assists.
Roma were interested in keeping him but thought United £20m asking price was too high.
Following reports that Newcastle manager Steve Bruce had made Smalling his top target for the summer, sources told the Mail that he has "no interest" in joining the side.
Smalling has two years left on his £120,000-a-week contract but is said to be willing to take a pay cut to return to Italy.
16.45 BST: West Ham are holding out for an £80m offer for Declan Rice despite the financial difficulties faced by many clubs because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to talkSPORT.
Chelsea have long been linked with the England international but this high price tag has been seen as a discouragement.
The Times have reported that West Ham have already rejected a possible swap deal for the midfielder. The Blues had supposedly offered Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi but the Hammers want cash.
Rice played every minute of West Hams 2019-20 Premier League season and helped David Moyes' side avoid relegation.
16.00 BST: Chelsea and Everton are both chasing Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster, according to the Sun.
The former England No. 1 has jumped up several wish lists after Watford were relegated to the Championship.
Finding a new keeper without having to pay large sums, such as the £71.6m Chelsea paid to secure Kepa Arrizabalaga, has been difficult for Frank Lampard's side but Foster might just prove to be the ticket.
However, signing the 37-year-old would mean that the Blues have an older pair between the sticks with Willy Caballero turning 39 in September.
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti is interested in Foster to provide some competition for No. 1 Jordan Pickford.
15.19 BST: Manchester United's Tahith Chong has joined Werder Bremen on a one-year loan, the clubs confirmed on Sunday.
"First of all, I'm happy to be here and I'm looking forward to preseason training with the team. This move is a great opportunity for me to develop. I'm looking forward to next season," Chong said in a statement.
The Netherlands under-21 international signed a new contract in March that will keep him with United until 2022 with the option to extend it for a further year.
His first-team appearances for United were limited, making just five first team appearances in the Premier League and 16 overall.
He last played for the side off the bench in United's 2-1 Europa League round-of-16 victory against LASK.
Werder finished 16th in the Bundesliga and just missed relegation after an away goal in their playoff against Heidenheim helped them stay up.
14.33 BST: Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is set to join Stoke City on a one-year deal, according to multiple reports.
The 33-year-old left Trabzonspor by mutual consent in March and had told BBC Sport Africa he was open to a return to England.
He made 249 Premier League appearances over an 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge which ended in 2017. During that time he won the Champions League and Europa League, two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the League Cup.
The former Nigeria international played 89 times for his country, including as captain, and helped the side win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
13.50 BST: Tottenham were interested in signing Brighton defender Lewis Dunk but reports in the Sun say that London rivals Chelsea are close to a £40m deal for the player.
The Brighton captain is a lifelong Chelsea fan and Blues head coach Frank Lampard has identified him as an ideal candidate to bolster his side's defence.
Chelsea conceded 54 goals in the Premier League this season, more than any other team that finished in the top 10.
Declan Rice is also on Lampard's wish list but the England international has been valued at £80m by West Ham which may prove out of reach for the London side who have already brought in Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.
13.15 BST: More control over transfers has been handed to Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta following the departure of the club's head of football Raul Sanllehi.
Arsenal announced on Saturday the 53-year-old would leave the club with immediate effect and be replaced by managing director Vinai Venkatesham.
ESPN reported on Friday that the club had launched an internal investigation into their recruitment processes amid concerns that had been raised over several transfers including the club-record £72 million purchase of Nicolas Pepe from Lille.
Venkatesham will lead the Gunners on a day-to-day basis with technical director Edu and head coach Mikel Arteta heading up the club's recruitment process following Sanllehi's departure.
12.42 BST: Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman has emerged as the latest candidate to take over Barcelona for the upcoming season, according to reports.
Sources have told ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens that Barcelona coach Quique Setien will be dismissed in the coming days after failing to guide the club to a title this season during his seven months in charge.
Under Setien, Barca have won 16 games, drawn four and lost five, including Friday's shocking 8-2 Champions League quarterfinal defeat to Bayern Munich.
Former Barcelona captain Xavi Hernandez is also a candidate but recently signed a contract extension that ties him to Al-Sadd for the 2020-21 campaign.
12.11 BST: Manchester City defender Eric Garcia is remaining tight-lipped about his future amidst reports he will return to his boyhood club Barcelona.
The highly-rated centre-back turned down a contract extension at the Etihad Stadium with his deal expiring next summer.
"It's not the time to talk about this, we've been eliminated from the Champions League and we need to reflect on this. It's true that we've lost a great opportunity, but this is not the time to think about the future, we shall see," Garcia said after starting in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Lyon in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Despite the disappointment, Garcia, who joined City from the Catalan giants three years ago, said it is only a question of time as to when the Blues will win the Champions League trophy.
"We have a great locker room, with a lot of quality, a great coaching staff and it's only a question of time to achieve this title," he added.
11.28 BST: Manchester United midfielder Tahith Chong has joined Werder Bremen's preseason training camp ahead of his proposed loan move to the Bundesliga side.
Bremen released footage and images on Sunday of Chong, 20, training with the rest of the squad in Zillerdeich, Austria.
The Netherlands youth international still has to agree terms with Bremen before the season-long loan deal is confirmed.
Chong joined United from Feyenoord two years ago, making a total of 16 appearances although he is yet to start a Premier League match.
Chong in action 🎬 #Zillerdeich2020 #werder pic.twitter.com/mUAo6E59jM
— SV Werder Bremen EN (@werderbremen_en) August 16, 2020
10.49 BST: Barcelona will make most of their players available for transfer with the exception of five following Friday's 8-2 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, Mundo Deportivo reports.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu suggested that drastic measures must be taken at the club following the result.
The average age of the starting line-up against Bayern was over 29 and long-serving Gerard Pique, now 33, even said after Friday's defeat that he would walk away from the club if that's what is needed to turn things around.
Barca are prepared to listen to offers for all of their players with the exception of captain Lionel Messi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig.
If good offers are made for Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele, Barcelona would not hesitate to sell.
Barca would even be willing to facilitate the departure of certain players with long-term contracts whose performances have not been up to the standard of the first team as is the case of Jordi Alba. The Spain international is tied to Barca until June 2024 and has a €500m release clause.
- Hunter: Barca the only ones who didn't see humiliation coming
10.10 BST: Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing Atalanta right-back Timothy Castagne, according to Sky Italia.
The French champions have monitored the Belgian after his strong season at Atalanta, during which scored two goals and set up three more in 33 appearances for the Bergamaschi.
PSG need to strengthen their right-back position but want to wait until the end of their Champions League campaign to begin negotiations.
They are not the only club that has shown an interest in the 24-year-old, with Leicester also very interested in signing Castagne this summer.
Atalanta paid €6m to sign Castagne from Genk in 2017, and have him under contract until June 2022.
09.36 BST: Atletico Madrid are prepared to match Everton's €40m bid to sign Napoli midfielder Allan, Marca reports. The Brazilian is expected to leave the Italian outfit this summer.
Negotiations between Everton and Napoli were reportedly at an advanced stage after the Premier League side made a €40m offer for Allan after their initial figure was rejected.
However, Atletico have increased their bid and are hoping to convince Allan to join the Rojiblancos.
Allan, 29, is tied to Napoli until June 2023 and holds dual Portuguese-Brazilian nationality.
09.00 BST: Borussia Dortmund are set to sign Real Madrid youngster Reinier Jesus on a one-year loan with an option for another season, sources have told ESPN's Stephan Uersfeld.
The 18-year-old joined Real Madrid in a €30 million transfer from Flamengo in January but has yet to make his senior debut for the La Liga champions. He is now unlikely to make his debut for Los Blancos during the 2021-20 season.
Sources confirmed to ESPN that Dortmund are close to sealing the loan deal for Reinier and he could join his new teammates once they return from their training camp in Switzerland early next week.
The agreement will not include a buy option for the Brazil under-23 international. However, Dortmund will get a right of refusal should Real Madrid decide to sell the attacking midfielder following the loan.
PAPER TALK (by Danny Lewis): RB Leipzig target Sorlot
RB Leipzig have targeted Norway international Alexander Sorloth, who is currently on loan at Trabzonspor from Crystal Palace, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has completed only one of the two years in his agreed loan but has gained the attention of clubs across Europe, with his admirers including Napoli, Fiorentina and Wolfsburg. This comes after he scored 24 Turkish Super Lig goals this term.
Leipzig, who are preparing for a Champions League semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain, are looking for a new striker after Timo Werner completed his move to Chelsea.
It is suggested within the report that Trabzonspor could make the current loan deal permanent for £5.5m, before negotiating with the German outfit.
Ramsdale nears Sheffield United return
AFC Bournemouth have reluctantly accepted an offer of £18.5m for Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United, claims the Guardian.
With a Dean Henderson return looking increasingly unlikely following two seasons on loan at Bramall Lane from Manchester United, it seems Chris Wilder is targeting another young English stopper.
Ramsdale, 22, was signed by the Cherries for £800,000 in 2017, and after an initial offer of around £12m was rejected, the latest one could see him travelling farther north.
It is thought that Ramsdale has his heart set on a move back to his previous home, and he might not have too long to wait until that materialises.
Fiorentina making move for Martinez
Fiorentina are making a move to sign Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez, reports Sky Sports Italia. This comes just one season after they brought Franck Ribery over to Italy from the Bavarian giants.
La Viola have officially asked Bayern about the Spaniard's availability after he has made only 10 starts across all competitions so far this term.
The decision is said to be Martinez's to make, as he might want to stick around for the exciting project Bayern are building under Hans-Dieter Flick.
However, this would result in him accepting another season of limited time on the pitch, something he could be unwilling to do at 31 years old.
AC Milan eye swap deal with Lokomotiv Moscow
AC Milan are looking into a swap deal with Lokomotiv Moscow, which would see Aleksei Miranchuk and Diego Laxalt switch sides, reports Calciomercato.
The Milanese outfit do not want to invest heavily in the Russian; Lokomotiv have already offered €7m for Laxalt, while the Italians want at least €10m.
It is claimed that neither club is in a rush to complete the deal, though it could be beneficial for both parties.
However, there might be some urgency forced upon Milan, with Atalanta also growing increasingly interested in a move for Miranchuk, even if he has previously expressed an appreciation for the Rossoneri.
Tap-ins
- Marcelo Bielsa is hoping to bring FC Basel striker Arthur Cabral to Leeds United, according to Globo Esporte. It is suggested within the report that the Lilywhites will pay €18m in total, with €3m of that being add-ons. Some of that fee will go to Brazilian clubs Palmeiras and Ceara, who own part of his financial rights.
- Wellington Phoenix full-back Liberato Cacace is on the radar of an unnamed Championship side, according to Paul Ifill. The former Nix, Millwall and Crystal Palace star told New Zealand outlet Stuff: "I had been speaking about who could potentially play overseas and I'd actually mentioned Callum McCowatt and Libby.
"A scout at a Championship club, I won't say where, and he rang me and said I saw your podcast, we've been doing our homework and our gaffer here likes the look of him."