If you have ever heard that Barcelona star Lionel Messi was linked with a move to the English Premier League outfit Arsenal in the past and doubt that it is true. It has been talked about again.

Lionel Messi’s former agent has recalled how the Argentina international came close to becoming a Gunner in 2003 with former manager Arsene Wenger making an attempt to snap him up.

Speaking to Marca, Fabian Soldini said Lionel Messi was close to joining Arsenal as he was tempted by the offers from the English Premier League side but he later opted not to go.

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According to him, the North London outfit were only able to prise away Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas because he accepted to leave as both were asked by the Catalans to go.

Cesc Fabregas went ahead to develop at the North London club but Lionel Messi became a more prominent figure in the game, and all of the feats would have been achieved in an Arsenal shirt.

With the number of players reported to have been linked with Arsenal under former manager Arsene Wenger, there is no doubt that the Frenchman is one of the best scouts, even as a manager, having identified such talent from a very young age.

Merseyside giants Everton have shifted their attention to £22.5m Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo after the move to sign Fikayo Tomori from Chelsea stalled.

The Toffees were thought to be closing in on a loan deal for Chelsea centre back Tomori earlier this month but that transfer has stalled in the past days paving the way for the club to pursue other defensive targets.

Fikayo Tomori is now expected to stay at Chelsea to fight for his place in the team. The Nigerian-born England international came on as a second half substitute over the weekend as his team suffered their first league defeat of the season.

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Tomori and Chelsea were beaten 2-0 at home by Liverpool who had a man advantage for the larger part of the game after Danish international Fikayo Tomori was sent off towards the end of the first half.

Kai Havertz was sacrificed as Fikayo Tomori replaced the new signing to fill the centre back vacuum left by Andreas Christensen.

Everton are desperate to sign a new central defender in this transfer window and 20-year-old Todibo is the new target though the Merseysiders will have to contend with Wolves who are also interested in the young French player.

Spanish giants Barcelona have been banned the club from signing midfield target Georginio Wijnaldum from Premier League champions Liverpool this summer.

La Liga officials have implemented strict financial guidelines on clubs in the top division this summer due to the Coronavirus Pandemic thus affecting Barcelona and their plans to sign players.

New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman had wanted to sign Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool and Memphis Depay from French giants Lyon this summer but the Dutch tactician is unlikely to get his targets.

Wijnaldum and Depay both have one year left on their respective deals at Liverpool and Lyon. The two players were instrumental to the successes recorded by Ronald Koeman during his time as the Dutch national team manager.

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Koeman left the Dutch job to take the managerial position at the Nou Camp.

La Liga’s Communications Director Joris Evers recently said that the football body has a new financial model that goes beyond the financial fairplay previously implemented by European football body UEFA.

Under the new financial guidelines, Barcelona will have to sell players to sign new players as they are struggling with an annual wage bill of €510m.

In addition, Barcelona also have to pay the same amount as the transfer fee to the Spanish government as part of the financial assistance to clubs during this Coronavirus Pandemic era.

Spanish La Liga club Barcelona are reportedly making moves to return with another luring offer for the signature of Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin before the end of the summer transfer window.

The future of Hector Bellerin has been up in the air as a number of reports claim he would be shipped out of the club this summer window but it is evident that the North London club are yet to make any decision over his future.

French Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint Germain are reported to be keen on the signature of the Spanish international right-back and submitted a bid for the player but it has been rejected by the Gunners.

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If Arsenal must sell, Hector Bellerin, it would happen for nothing less than £25 million, and that has informed the latest move by Barcelona on how to land him this summer window.

It is understood that the Catalans want to do a swap deal with a player plus cash for the signature of the Hector Bellerin and are considering to offer the likes of Jean-Clair Todibo, Martin Braithwaite, and Junior Firpo who are believed to be surplus to requirements by Barcelona.

Howbeit, the decision would be made by the Gunners as hector Bellerin is only keen on regular playing time, either at Arsenal or any other club.

Man United have not hidden their wish to land Barcelona star Ansu Fati as he is being linked away from the Camp Nou with his future unsettled.

The Red Devils are hoping to have a very busy summer transfer window with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hoping to challenge the likes of Man City and Liverpool for the EPL in the new season.

There are fears that the Red Devils will not have their wish to land Ansu Fati with former Brazilian star Rivaldo urging the Spanish La Liga giants to be patient with the young starlet and not release him to United in a hurry.

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Rivaldo, in his interview with Betfair said the youngster impressed in his game for Spain and scored a goal which has given the hint that he can become a regular at Barcelona and that must be considered by the Catalans.

He added that the new manager, Ronald Koeman is likely to give Ansu Fati a chance, adding that he is only 17 and should not be given the pressure to impress, rather he should be given time to breakthrough.

However, pundits have noted that Ansu Fati is not a priority for Man United, especially if they are able to sign up Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

It has been revealed by respected transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano that the Spanish La Liga outfit established contact with Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang some weeks ago for the possibility of a deal this summer transfer window.

With one year left to see out his contract with the Gunners, the Gabon international is being linked away from the club with Arsenal also making efforts to agree on a new deal with him.

The Catalans are one of the few clubs that have registered interest in the former Borussia Dortmund forward and are reported to have spoken with him but were instantly told he will still be at the North London for few more years.

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However, it has been reported that the Gunners have already sealed a new deal with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang that will make him remain at the club until 2023 while his weekly wage will be increased from the £200,000 he currently earns.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been impressive for the North London club, registering about 20 goals in the last two seasons for the club in the English Premier League.

Meanwhile, the Spanish outfit have reportedly tuner their attention to Memphis Depay as they are understood to have agreed on personal terms but yet to submit an official bid to Lyon.

Lyon forward Memphis Depay has agreed on personal terms with Spanish La Liga outfit Barcelona as he sets his sights on a move to the Nou Camp.

This was confirmed by renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano who was also quick to point out that Barcelona and Lyon are yet to agree a fee for the former Manchester United attacker.

Memphis Depay was at Old Trafford for 18 months before he left the club in January 2017 after a loan transfer to Lyon was agreed for the Dutch national team player.

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The attacker impressed on loan at Lyon before it was made permanent by the French Ligue 1 club.

New Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman wants to sign Depay having worked with him in the Netherlands national team setup. The player was the main man for him as the Barcelona legend led the Dutch team to the inaugural UEFA Nations League.

Ronald Koeman was the Dutch manager as they lost 1-0 to hosts Portugal in the UEFA Nations League final courtesy the lone strike from Goncalo Guedes.

Depay could be a direct replacement for Luis Suarez if Barcelona are able to agree a transfer fee with Lyon for his services. Suarez is said to be on his way to Italian champions Juventus.

Spanish La Liga outfit Barcelona are reportedly keen to bring Arsenal star Hector Bellerin to the Camp Nou this summer transfer window.

The Spanish right-back is being linked with a move away from the North London club with a number of interests already turning in for him.

French Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint Germain are one of the leading clubs for the signature of Hector Bellerin but they will now face competition from Barcelona.

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Hector Bellerin was at Barcelona as a youth player before joining the Gunners and now making a big impact in the English Premier League.

However, it is understood that Barcelona will have to Nelson Semedo, 26, to be able to make space for the Arsenal player as he is not wanted at Camp Nou by a number of officials.

Manchester City are reported to be interested in the signature of the Barcelona star but the two clubs do not have a good relationship and that could hamper on the deal.

Meanwhile, the North London club have not made their final decision on Hector Bellerin but the player is reportedly ready to stay at the Emirates Stadium if he is convinced of regular playing time under manager Mikel Arteta.