Barcelona presidential candidate makes Lionel Messi transfer claim amid Man City interest

straight to your inboxRonald Koeman admits he is not confident that Lionel Messi will remain at Barcelona next season. Messi, one of the greatest players there has ever been in the game, has spent his entire professional career at the Nou Camp after coming through their academy but was involved in a furious standoff with the club last summer when his attempt to leave was blocked.

straight to your inboxThe manager of Udinese has confirmed that the Italian club are signing Manchester City winger Jayden Braaf. Despite being regarded as one of City's most talented youngsters, Braaf has hardly been involved at youth team level this season and has made just two appearances amid uncertainty on his future.

straight to your inboxEvery No.8 in the Manchester City academy paid a video tribute to Colin Bell as the club mourns the passing of its greatest ever player. Bell died peacefully earlier this month, leaving behind treasured memories for friends, families, and supporters as well as an enormous legacy at the club and in the wider game.

straight to your inboxWhether or not Manchester City sign Lionel Messi this summer, they can reflect on a much more professional approach than they managed when they bid for him in the frantic hours after they were taken over in 2008.As manager at the time Mark Hughes tells it, while he and his staff were on the golf course so frenzied were the bids for a marquee signing that when one club director remarked to a colleague about how messy the situation was it was misinterpreted as an instruction

straight to your inbox every day for freeBayern Munich have confirmed their interest in Manchester United target Dayot Upamecano. Following the arrival of Amad Diallo, United aren't expected to make any more signings this January but M.E.N.

straight to your inboxJohn Stones has opened up about his Manchester City transformation - and revealed how Micah Richards helped him.Stones has come in from the cold to form a blossoming central defensive partnership with Ruben Dias in Pep Guardiola's side. The pair kept another clean sheet as City beat Crystal Palace 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday night.

straight to your inboxFormer Manchester City defender Micah Richards has hailed Phil Foden as a 'superstar' following his latest eye-catching performance. The England international netted the only goal of the game in the 1-0 victory over Brighton, which moved City four points off the top with a game in hand.

straight to your inboxFernandinho's agent has talked up the prospect of a return to Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense when his contract with Manchester City expires this summer.The 35-year-old has entered the final months of his deal at the Etihad Stadium and has been free to discuss a pre-contractual agreement with clubs outside of England since the turn of the year.

straight to your inboxManchester City players will run out at Old Trafford on Wednesday night wearing retro shirts with a Number 8 on their back to mark the passing of club legend Colin Bell. Bell, 74, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon, is widely regarded as the greatest player to have pulled on a City shirt and is adored at the club whose stadium bears his name on one of its stands.

straight to your inboxTributes have been pouring in for Manchester City great Colin Bell who sadly passed away at the age of 74 on Tuesday.City announced the passing of their legendary figure, who made 492 appearances and scored 152 goals for the Club during a 13-year stay.Affectionately known as 'Colin The King', supporters voted in 2004 to name a stand inside the Etihad Stadium after him and his name continues to be sung on the terraces to this day.Capped 48 times by England, Bell was widely

straight to your inboxManchester City CEO Ferran Soriano believes Lionel Messi has 'earned the right' to decide what he does next with his career but has remained tight-lipped on the prospect of the Blues signing him.Messi rocked the footballing world in the summer when it was revealed he wanted to leave Barcelona amid disputes with the club's hierarchy and, thanks in large part to the Pep Guardiola connection, City were made immediate favourites to be his next club.However, after weeks of

straight to your inboxPhil Foden should be starting every game for Manchester City from now on, according to Micah Richards.Foden starred as City beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in Sunday's Premier League clash. The England international has not been a regular starter for Pep Guardiola 's side this season.

straight to your inboxRoy Keane says Manchester City cannot be written off in the title race.City had something of a slow start to the season by their usual standards and they find themselves seven points off the top ahead of facing Chelsea this afternoon, albeit with two games in hand over most teams around them.

straight to your inboxMan City make the trip to Chelsea on Sunday looking to continue their positive recent form.Pep Guardiola's side have not played since Boxing Day due to Covid-19 cases seeing their game against Everton on Monday postponed. It means they will not be at full strength for the game against Chelsea, who they sit level on points with.