Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news in the Premier League on Monday, August 31.
Monday morning's Premier League transfer talk news roundup:
Manchester City 'close to securing Lionel Messi signing, new Pep Guardiola deal'
Manchester City are reportedly close to completing two major pieces of business by signing Barcelona's Lionel Messi and tying manager Pep Guardiola down to a new contract.
City are understood to be leading the race for six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi after he submitted a transfer request at Barcelona earlier this week.
Such a move would see Messi reunite with Guardiola, under whom he won four of those six Ballons d'Or at Barca, although Guardiola's current deal is due to expire next summer.
However, The Mirror reports that signing Messi would convince Guardiola to put pen to paper on a new three-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.
Barcelona remain desperate to keep their talismanic captain but have begun planning for life without him, and Man City are one of the only clubs in world football that could realistically afford the 33-year-old.
Before handing in a transfer request, Messi is reported to have spoken to Guardiola about the possibility of joining City and the likelihood of the manager staying beyond the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
Guardiola has already spent longer at Man City than he had in any previous job, but would reportedly be willing to extend his stay by another three years if Messi was to join.
Manchester City 'to offer Lionel Messi £450m deal'
Manchester City are reportedly willing to pay Barcelona forward Lionel Messi a contract worth £450m.
Having expressed a desire to leave Camp Nou later in the summer transfer window, it has been suggested that Messi favours a reunion with Pep Guardiola.
Much could depend on whether City are prepared to pay an astronomical fee for the 33-year-old, which could be anything above £200m.
However, according to Sport, club officials are happy to hand the superstar a deal valued in the region of £450m across five years.
The report claims that the Argentine would remain at the Etihad Stadium until 2023 before moving to New York City FC.
Messi would allegedly receive a bonus of £225m - half of the proposal contract - when signing for the MLS outfit.
More transfer news from Premier League:
The 23-year-old midfielder would become Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first signing of the summer Read more.
Arsenal are prepared to meet Brentford's £25m asking price for Said Benrahma, according to a report. Read more.
Senior Barcelona figures 'expect Lionel Messi to join Manchester City'
Senior figures at Barcelona are reportedly expecting Lionel Messi to secure a switch to Manchester City before the end of the summer transfer window. Read more.
Tottenham Hotspur 'in talks over deal for Joshua King'
Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with the agent of Bournemouth attacker Joshua King over a potential deal, according to a report. Read more.
Lionel Messi release clause at Barcelona 'has expired'
The release clause of Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, said to be £632m, is reportedly no longer active, boosting Manchester City's hopes of signing the Argentine. Read more.
Arsenal perform U-turn over Ainsley Maitland-Niles future?
Arsenal are reportedly considering whether to shelve plans to cash in on Ainsley Maitland-Niles during the summer transfer window. Read more.
Manchester United, Liverpool to battle for RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka?
Manchester United and Liverpool are reportedly considering a bid for Red Bull Salzburg's 21-year-old striker Patson Daka, who is valued at around £20m. Read more.
Kepa Arrizabalaga 'makes U-turn on Chelsea future'
Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga wants to stay at Chelsea and fight for his future at the club, according to a report. Read more.
Chelsea 'could make three more summer signings'
Chelsea could make another three signings during this summer's transfer window, according to a report. Read more.
Donny van de Beek 'tells Ajax teammates he is joining Manchester United'
Donny van de Beek tells his Ajax teammates that he is joining Manchester United, according to a report. Read more.
Liverpool 'ready to pay Ismaila Sarr asking price'
Liverpool are reportedly preparing to meet Watford's £40m asking price for winger Ismaila Sarr ahead of the new season. Read more.
Agent: 'Arsenal are interested in Amadou Diawara'
Roma midfielder Amadou Diawara's agent claims that Arsenal are interested in signing his client. Read more.
Valencia 'contact Arsenal over Matteo Guendouzi move'
Valencia want to sign Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi on loan for the 2020-21 campaign, according to a report. Read more.
Leeds United in talks to sign Rodrigo De Paul?
Leeds United reportedly begin negotiations with Udinese regarding the potential addition of Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul. Read more.
Inter Milan to rival Arsenal for Thomas Partey?
Inter Milan are reportedly considering whether to rival Arsenal in the race to sign Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey. Read more.
Antonio Conte 'asks Inter Milan to sign N'Golo Kante'
Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte wants his club to sign Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, according to a report. Read more.
Everton, Leeds United want Manchester United's Sergio Romero?
Everton are reportedly considering a move for Manchester United's Sergio Romero to provide competition for Jordan Pickford, but could face competition from Leeds United. Read more.
Barcelona view Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus as Luis Suarez replacement?
Barcelona reportedly settle on Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus as the player who they wish to replace Luis Suarez. Read more.
Aston Villa 'preparing £10m bid for Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez'
Aston Villa reportedly become the latest club to show an interest in signing Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who may leave the Gunners this summer. Read more.
Lionel Messi 'fails to report to Barcelona testing'
Lionel Messi fails to report for coronavirus testing with Barcelona, leaving him out of contention to resume training with the Catalan giants. Read more.
Tottenham Hotspur 'value Tanguy Ndombele at £55m'
Tottenham Hotspur value Tanguy Ndombele at £55m amid interest from Inter Milan, according to a report. Read more.
Serge Aurier 'rejects Wolverhampton Wanderers move as part of Matt Doherty deal'
Tottenham Hotspur full-back Serge Aurier reportedly rejects the chance to join Wolverhampton Wanderers as part of the deal taking Matt Doherty in the opposite direction. Read more.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 'set to end pursuit of Ainsley Maitland-Niles'
Wolverhampton Wanderers concede that they are now unlikely to be able to sign Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles this summer, according to a report. Read more.
Lucas Torreira agent demands clarity over Arsenal future
The agent of Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira calls on Mikel Arteta to make a decision over the future of the Uruguay international. Read more.
Tottenham complete £15m Matt Doherty signing from Wolves
The Republic of Ireland international has signed a four-year deal. Read more.
Fulham sign Mario Lemina on loan from Southampton
Mario Lemina spent the bulk of last term on loan at Galatasaray, but will now return to Premier League action with newly-promoted Fulham. Read more.
Michael Keane signs new five-year Everton deal
Michael Keane made 31 Premier League appearances for Everton last season. Read more.
Spurs 'attempted to hijack Manchester United's Donny van de Beek deal'
Tottenham Hotspur reportedly made a late effort to edge out Manchester United in the race to sign Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek. Read more.
