Those Messi to Chelsea rumours aren't going anywhere
Despite the assertion from Barca president Josep Bartomeu that Lionel Messi is going nowhere, those pesky rumours about an exit for the Argentinian are splashed all over today's papers.
The Star go very big indeed on the story, saying that Chelsea are prepared to meet Messi's £200m buyout clause as well as offering the star a six-year deal. Despite all the talk of unrest, chats with his Da and Instagram guff, we simply cannot see Messi ever leaving Barca, or the club ever letting him go. As we know, it is a funny old game, but it isn't that funny.
On to more grounded - well slightly grounded anyway - stories and it is Liverpool who once again dominate the rumour mill. The
Guardian go with the tale of striker who arrived at Anfield in the summer in hope but who now looks like he isn't up to it and may be shipped out. Nope, we don't mean Mario Balotelli, we mean Rickie Lambert, who the paper say is catching the eye of new Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew.
And another striker who arrived at Liverpool this summer may also be soon on his way and this time we do mean Mario Balotelli. The
Express say that Olympiakos want to bring the Italian on loan to Greece for the rest of the season. We can see Brendan Rodgers letting Super Mario go but he surely won't let him and Lambert go in January. Guess we'll know in a few weeks.
Liverpool rumours don't end there. Suso - remember him - is set to go to AC Milan on a four-year deal, according to talkSport but perhaps the most interesting Liverpool transfer story is one the
Times have about a summer move for James Milner.
The 29-year-old is out of contract at Manchester City in the summer and Liverpool like the cut of his jib. Milner has been superb this season, and he is arguably one of the most reliable performers in the Premier League. With Steven Gerrard on the way, he could bring some much needed experience and leadership to Liverpool too.
Manchester United, of course, also feature a lot today, The Mats Hummels to United story continues with the
Express saying a bid has been made from Old Trafford. However Dortmund, as they have for ages now, say the 26-year-old is not for sale.
And the Mail speculate that the arrival of Victor Valdes means that David de Gea is headed for contract talks before he hops on a plane to Madrid and never comes back.
The
Telegraph say that Petr Cech may finally leave Chelsea in the summer to become Arsenal's stopper and that the move might spark a goalkeeper merry-go-round with De Gea, Hugo Lloris and Simon Mignolet also possibly on the go if one move is made. We've never seen a goalie merry-go-round so personally we can't wait.
Finally, the frankly bizarre Xherdan Shaqiri story may finally be at a close. The
Mail say that the Swiss international has rejected Stoke in favour of Inter Milan, with nary a mention of Liverpool, who were also linked to the Bayern man.
