Outside the Nou Camp gates, amidst the tributes sits the anger. “F___ you Tebas, f___ you PSG, Messi quedate” reads one sign, its ire directed at everyone from La Liga’s president to the Argentine’s suitors – though ironically, not at Barcelona’s culpable board.
Fans’ desperate pleas for their idolic forward to stay have been dashed after he confirmed in an emotional press conference that he will not be allowed to sign a new deal due to La Liga’s financial regulations.
As Barcelona hit the nadir of their financial crisis, they must offload several more of their biggest earners to reduce their wage bill. It is looking increasingly like this will be the summer when the chickens come home to roost, 18 Covid-ravaged months exacerbating an economic crisis which Europe’s top clubs are now having to face up to sooner rather than later.
What this summer is not is a moment of sobering frugality. Chelsea are expected to break their transfer record again to re-sign Romelu Lukaku, in turn capitalising on the debts of Inter Milan owners Suning.
Deep in the corridors of the San Siro, the hierarchy are trying to ward off reports of a fire-sale. Yet suggestions that Lautaro Martinez could join Tottenham Hotspur – with Arsenal also thought to be monitoring the forward – make it ever clearer why Antonio Conte walked away just weeks after winning Serie A in May.
Lautaro Martinez to Spurs
The Times first reported that Inter had accepted a £60million offer from Spurs for the Argentine, but it has since been claimed by various outlets that he intends to stay in Milan.
It may not be up to the player alone and any deal could depend on whether the Nerazzurri receive enough funds from selling Lukaku.
Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea
Chelsea are ironing out the finer details to bring back Lukaku, who first left Stamford Bridge in 2014. The Belgian will become the most expensive footballer in history in terms of accumulated fees, but with his fee in the region of £97.5m, he will not surpass Jack Grealish as the British transfer record.
Harry Kane to Man City
Whatever happens with Martinez, it will not necessarily have a bearing on Harry Kane as Nuno Espirito Santo plans to operate with them both. Since “training-gate”, the Tottenham vice-captain has tweeted a clarification claiming he had not been on strike after all. Hardly a statement of confidence that his sought-after move to Manchester City will happen as Daniel Levy refused to be low-balled on his valuation of at least £150m for the England captain.
After an extended break in Florida, Kane is now back at Hotspur Way in quarantine and could have no choice but to settle down and stay, despite believing he has a “gentleman’s agreement” to leave this summer.
Lionel Messi to PSG
Messi said on Sunday that PSG is “a possibility, but nothing is agreed”. According to reports in France, he could commit to a two-year deal in the coming days.
Last summer, when he first signalled his intent to leave Catalonia, Manchester and MLS were also touted as possible destinations but there has been little indication that there have been concrete offers from elsewhere.
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/2VCeNaO
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