Transcripts ‘No blackmail’ with De Jong says Laporta, also doubles down on Messi return 2 HOURS AGO Paper Round’s View: Milinkovic-Savic has plenty of experience in Italy as well as international experience with his country. However, they still have no Champions League games to play and while United are not in the competition this year, they need to bring in better players than they have in the last four or five years since their relegation was cemented.
Laporta wants Messi back
Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed he wants to bring Lionel Messi back to the club, despite overseeing his exit from French side Paris Saint-Germain, he hopes the Argentine forward can retire to Barcelona, saying: “It is a ambition I have. as president and I would like it to happen, [as] I was jointly responsible for this purpose which I consider temporary,” he said. Paper Round’s View: Messi is now 35 but has a year left on his contract in the French capital, so could be a useful player at the end of next season and could indeed sign a new pre-contract to agree a return to Spain. The player doesn’t seem excited about playing for PSG and if he’s not yet ready to move on from European football, then a move to Barcelona would almost certainly be his preference.
Real target Brocha
There is surprise news in the Daily Mail, with a report that Real Madrid would like to sign Chelsea striker Armando Brocha. The 20-year-old Albania international was thought to be staying at Stamford Bridge following the departure of Romelu Lukaku to Inter, but Real are hoping to sell some of their strikers and would like to bring in younger players such as the Chelsea man. Paper Round’s View: Brocha is attracting attention from across the Premier League, including West Ham, but if the interest from Real is genuine then it shows just how highly rated he is after a season on loan at Southampton. Timo Werner is the latest player to be linked with a move away from the club which would make Brocha’s departure even more difficult.
The Newcastle set for the Cornet swoop
The Sun believe Newcastle will win the race for Maxwell Cornet. The Ivorian has a £17.5m release clause at Burnley and has attracted interest from Chelsea and Everton. However, with Newcastle struggling to bring in players in the summer transfer window, Eddie Howe could move ahead of other Premier League clubs by signing the Burnley left-back. Paper Round’s View: Cornet is a versatile player on the left side and can play in defense and much higher up the pitch. It was a surprise that he was willing to join Burnley in the first place, but a move up the table after their relegation would suit his talents. Newcastle have so far shown discipline when it comes to spending, but Cornet’s release clause makes him a bargain. Transcripts Chelsea ‘walked out’ of Kunte deal due to ‘doubts’, Sevilla’s Monchi reveals 19 HOURS AGO Transcripts Cucurella submits transfer request in bid to push for City move – reports 19 HOURS AGO
