Transfer news LIVE: Barcelona asked to sign Lionel Messi by Xavi, Newcastle £40m Connor Gallagher EXCLUSIVE

Mari joins Monza

Arsenal defender Pablo Mari has joined Serie A newcomers Monza on loan.

The Italian side also have an obligation to buy the Spaniard.

Neville on De Jong transfer

Gary Neville has admitted it will be “embarrassing” if Manchester United miss out on Frenkie de Jong – and “horrific” if he joins Chelsea.

Reports today claimed the Red Devils are ready to accept defeat in their pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder.

Chelsea are now thought to be in pole position to sign De Jong.

That’s after Erik ten Hag made De Jong his No1 transfer target at the start of the summer, with United even agreeing a fee with Barcelona for the Dutchman.

A move failed to materialise – and Neville is bracing himself for the worst if De Jong heads to Stamford Bridge over Old Trafford.

The United legend told Football Daily: “If they (United) don’t get him, it’s embarrassing but if he goes to Chelsea, it’s horrific.

“If he doesn’t want to come the deal would have been switched off a few weeks ago.

“Because of the relationship the player has with the manager, there must be some communication between them that’s saying, ‘wait for me I’m coming’.”

Murtough ‘jets to Turin to negotiate Rabiot’

Manchester United are hoping to seal the deal for Adrien Rabiot by sending the club’s football director to personally negotiate in Turin.

The Red Devils are on the brink of signing Rabiot, 27, but his huge wage demands are delaying the transfer.

The midfielder – and his agent mother – are reportedly asking for a whopping £8.5m a year contract to get the deal done.

And United chief John Murtough has jetted out to Italy in an attempt to finally land the Juventus midfielder.

The Mirror report that Rabiot’s mother, Veronique, has made it clear she will only deal with Murtough.

She is believed to be a tough negotiator and is reported to be making demands about Champions League football.

Willian tears up Corinthians contract

Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Willian has left Corinthians after tearing up his contract.

And the Brazilian winger is now reportedly in talks with newly-promoted Fulham.

Willian rejoined boyhood club Corinthians last summer after leaving Arsenal just one year into a three-year deal.

But the 34-year-old did not score a single goal in nine league games for his new side.

And he failed to make an impact as Corinthians were dumped out of the Copa Libertadores 3-0 by rivals Flamengo on Wednesday.

Despite having a year left on his contract, Willian has now agreed to terminate his deal.

Fulham are said to be interested.

Christensen took Barcelona out of Instagram profile 

Fans on social media are in agreement after Andreas Christensen allegedly change his Instagram profile picture BACK to a shot of him in a Chelsea kit.

The Danish defender is claimed to have swapped his profile picture to one of him wearing a Blues shirt, with suggestions he previously took it down when he signed for Barcelona.

But with Barca unable to register him, or any of their new signings, rumours have emerged that Christensen could return to Stamford Bridge.

ESPN claim both Christensen and fellow free signing Franck Kessie could leave for free if they aren’t registered before the season opener against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.

Allegations that Christensen changed his profile picture has only fuelled those rumours.

His current profile shot shows him giving a thumbs up with a Champions League winners medal around his neck.

Kostic signs for Juventus 

Juventus have completed the signing of Filip Kostic from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Serie A giants struck a £14.5million agreement with The Eagles earlier this week.

Kostic, 29, landed in Turin on Thursday to undergo medical tests before signing a three-year deal.

West Ham were also known to be fighting for his signature.

The Hammers bid £12.5m for Kostic last month, but the offer fell short of Frankfurt's asking price.

Man Utd in Cody Gakpo transfer talks

Manchester United are considering a move to sign PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo, reports suggest.

United have been linked with Gakpo, 23, throughout the summer transfer window and are discussing a potential deal “internally”.

That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the winger would “love” to move to the Premier League this summer.

The Red Devils appear to still be prioritising Ajax star Antony with the Netherlands international posing as a top alternative.

In the meantime, the Manchester giants continue negotiations with Juventus ace Adrien Rabiot’s camp after agreeing a €17million (£14.4m) deal with the Italian club for the midfielder.

Costa back in Europe as Rayo Vallecano CONFIRM transfer

Diego Costa is edging closer to a return to Europe with a move to Rayo Vallecano.

The former Chelsea striker last played for Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro in 2021 after leaving Atletico Madrid in 2020.

The deal to bring him back to Spain now appears all but done with the 33-year-old hoping he can terrorise La Liga defenders all over again.

The move would mean he would also reunite with fellow attacker Radamel Falcao, with the pair sharing a dressing room briefly at Chelsea and more memorably at Atletico Madrid where they formed a formidable frontline.

Falcao signed for the Spanish club a year ago and it means that mid-table Rayo Vallecano now have two strikers who were among the most feared in Europe over the last decade.

Marca report that the deal is done and will be announced soon.

Conte ‘banishes transfer-listed Tottenham stars'

ottenham boss Antonio Conte has "banished"; Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks from first-team training, reports suggest.

According to the Evening Standard, the foursome have fallen out of favour at Spurs and have been training on their own since the team's return from pre-season in South Korea.

The four outcasts have been informed that Conte can only work with a certain amount of players and are practicing individually at separate times from the rest of the squad.

The North Londoners are looking for buyers but understand their future may not be resolved until the final week of the summer transfer window, and probably not even before deadline day.

Leeds lining up Wagner

Leeds are considering a swoop for Philadelphia Union left-back Kai Wagner, according to reports.

Wagner, 25, is widely considered as one of the most sought-after players from the MLS.

Over the past few years he has been scouted by various Premier League clubs, but Leeds could be the first to make a formal offer.

Football reporter Manuel Veth claims that club officials are lining up an offer for the German defender.

Jesse Marsch believes he could provide competition for Junior Firpo, who is currently unavailable due to an injury.

However, The Whites face stiff competition for his signature.

Marseille ‘make contact with Bailly’

Marseille have reportedly made contact with Manchester United over a loan deal for Eric Bailly.

But the Red Devils are only willing to let the defender leave on a permanent transfer.

L’Equipe claims Marseille are looking for a centre-back after failing to keep hold of Arsenal’s William Saliba

And Bailly, 28, has emerged as their top target.

The Ivorian is entering his seventh season at Old Trafford.

Leeds interest in duo revealed

Leeds are yet to make a bid for either Ismaila Sarr or Juan Mata, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Whites have been linked with both players in recent weeks.

However, Leeds will have to move fast if they want Sarr as Romano claims many other teams are interested in him.

Mata's yet to decide in his next destination since leaving Man United as a free agent this summer.

Tottenham close in on Depay

Tottenham are in advanced talks to sign Memphis Depay on a free transfer from Barcelona, according to reports.

According to , Tottenham's Managing Director of Football Fabio Paratici approached the LaLiga giants earlier this week to discuss the possibility of a transfer.

Spurs were originally willing to bid around £15m for the Dutchman, but the club could now be offered the opportunity to sign him on a free transfer.

Depay's representatives are currently attempting to negotiate a deal with Barca officials which would see his contract terminated.

Elliot expresses contract extension joy

Liverpool ace Harvey Elliot has expressed his joy after signing a new contract with the club.

The 19-year-old is believed to have signed a five-year extension at Anfield.

He told Liverpool's website: "It’s always nice to know that I’m going to be here for many more years, which is always a great thing with it being my boyhood club.

"And there is nothing in this world that makes me more happy and more excited than this,”

Leicester poised to welcome first signing

Leicester are close to completing the signing of Alex Smithies, who could become their first transfer of the summer.

According to , Brendan Rodgers' side is set to land ex-Cardiff goalkeeper Smithies, 32, on a free transfer.

Leicester are hoping to make further additions before transfer deadline day as they plan to sell the likes of Boubakary Soumare and Jannik Vestergaard to raise funds.

Percy tweeted: "[Leicester] close to their first signing of the summer - ex-Cardiff & Huddersfield goalkeeper Alex Smithies in talks over a move on a free transfer.

"The 32yo was recently on trial at [Bournemouth]. Leicester hopeful of further additions through the exits of players inc Soumare & Vestergaard."

De Jong handed wage ultimatum

Barcelona have reportedly handed Frenkie de Jong a wage ultimatum.

The midfielder's been told he has to take a 50 PERCENT pay cut or leave the club, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

And they expect an answer from De Jong TODAY.

Barca's urgency comes as they need to bring down their debt before being able to register new players.

Newcastle make Ramos top target

Newcastle have made Benfica ace Gonçalo Ramos their top target, reports claim.

SunSport reported that the Magpies were planning to launch a bid for the 21-year-old striker on Wednesday.

And that's been confirmed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

He tweeted that Eddie Howe's side are currently in talks with the player and Benfica.

PSG have also been linked with Ramos, but are yet to place an offer.

Fulham target set for exit

Roma are reportedly open to shipping out Justin Kluivert on loan.

Tutto Mercato claim Kluivert's been deemed surplus to requirements at Roma.

The news will appease Fulham who have been linked with the striker.

And the two teams are set to continue negotiations to see if they can agree terms for his departure.

Barca want to keep Aubameyang

Barcelona desperately need to get rid of some players in order to register their new signings before the new season begins.

But club boss Xavi doesn't want Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang included in the departing bunch.

That's according to football reporter Javi Miguel, who claims Xavi has full faith in Aubameyang and wants him at the club next season.

He also stated that Xavi let Barca chief Joan Laporta know his stance.

Real Madrid legend explains exit

Real Madrid legend Isco has revealed why he chose to leave Los Blancos for Sevilla.

He said: "It's a team with a style of play that I love and hopefully we can win titles.

"I've chosen Sevilla among the many offers I have because from a sporting level is what interested me the most.

"It's a team that competes, that wants to play football well, plays in the Champions League, a club that is constantly growing.

"It's the best team to show my football again. I want to keep winning and that's why I'm here."

Prem clubs chase Dieng

Two Premier League clubs are leading the race for Marseille ace Bamba Dieng, reports claim.

Dieng's set to leave Marseille soon for a fee of roughly £12m, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Talks between the Ligue 1 side and Dieng are ongoing, with a solution expected in the coming days.

Newcastle are thought to be one of the Prem sides interested in Dieng.

Lavia explains Man City exit

Ex-Man City starlet Romeo Lavia has revealed how and why he decided to move to Southampton this summer.

He said: "I’ll be honest with you, in the middle of June I’m doing my school exams – I hear interest from Southampton, and when I hear it I’m just like ‘let’s go',”

“I looked at the culture of the club, the style of play with which I was really impressed by when I was on the bench for City playing against Southampton.

"It was really exciting and that’s how it went.”

City agree Sergio Gomez fee

Man City have reportedly agreed a fee with Anderlecht for Sergio Gomez.

Pep Guardiola's been on the hunt for defensive reinforcements since Oleksandr Zinchenko left for Arsenal.

And City have coughed up £12.6m to bring in Gomez to do just that, according to Fabrizio Romano.

He's expected to slot into Zinchenko's spot when he arrives from Belgium.