Man City prepare January offer for Lionel Messi and more transfer rumours

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United have six defenders on their transfer shortlist for next summer - according to reports.United intended to strengthen their centre-back department during the recently closed transfer window but were unable to offload fringe defenders such as Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones.The Reds are expected to assess their options at the back next summer with a defender believed to be high on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's wish list.90min report Villarreal defender

straight to your inboxRonald Koeman has explained the absence of Barcelona star Lionel Messi for the Spanish side's Champions League clash at Dynamo Kyiv tomorrow night.Messi to City stories have been rife since this summer after the Barcelona star requested to leave the Camp Nou.

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United are lining up a move for Everton's Marcel Brands to become the club's first director of football, according to reports.The Dutchman has earned a stellar reputation after leading Everton's transfer policy in recent years, masterminding the signings of James Rodriguez and others.However, his contract at Goodison Park is due to expire at the end of the season and United are said to be keen on bringing him across the north west.According to the

straight to your inboxManchester City have decided not to make a move for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and have ended their pursuit, according to reports.Messi endured a high-profile fallout with the Barcelona board during the summer, where he handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force an exit.That immediately led to suggestions of a reunion with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium, with those rumours surfacing once again after the City boss penned a new two-year deal.However, Spanish

straight to your inboxBarcelona defender Gerard Pique has suffered a cruciate ligament injury that could change how they approach their January search for a new centre-back.Barca wanted to sign Manchester City defender Eric Garcia over the summer, but their offer did not meet City's valuation of the young Spaniard. Garcia is out of contract this summer and has told the club he will not extend his deal.

straight to your inbox Pep Guardiola wants Lionel Messi to finish his career in Barcelona, despite speculation linking Manchester City with a fresh move for the Argentine playmaker.

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United are keeping tabs on Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, according to reports.United intended to strengthen their defensive options during the summer transfer window but the failure to offload fringe players such as Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo meant they were unable to add to the department.

straight to your inboxWith the news that Pep Guardiola is extending his stay as Manchester City manager, the Blues are once again being linked with Lionel Messi.City fans were hopeful of completing a sensational move for Messi over a two-week period in the summer when he announced his intention to leave Barcelona, but the Argentine ultimately opted to stay to avoid a costly legal battle over his contract.

straight to your inboxHere are your Manchester City evening headlines for Tuesday, November 17.La Liga president aims Man City digLa Liga president Javier Tebas has taken another dig at Manchester City, claiming the club do not compete within the rules of financial fair play amid a potential deal for Lionel Messi. The Argentine star is in the final year of his contract with Barcelona and was linked with a move to the Etihad in the summer transfer window.

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United remain interested in Ousmane Dembele but could face competition from Arsenal for the player's services, according to reports.The France international was considered as a loan signing on deadline day after United failed to land Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, and it's now reported that their interest has not waned.Spanish outlet Sport state Dembele has 'offers on the table' ahead of the January transfer window and Barcelona could be

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United are among the clubs vying for the signature of highly-rated FC Braga centre-back David Carmo, according to reports.The 21-year-old penned a new contract with the Portuguese side last week and has seen his reputation soar since making his debut for the club in January.Comparisons have been made with Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk due to his commanding presence and the Athletic reports United are among 10 different clubs chasing Carmo's

straight to your inboxHere are the Man City morning headlines for Tuesday, November 17.For two weeks over the summer, the unthinkable prospect of Lionel Messi leaving Barcelona appeared to be on the cards, with the Argentinian making his intention to leave clear. City were the favourites to land his signature, but he ended up staying at the Camp Nou due to his reticence to fight a bitter contract dispute with the club at which he’s made 741 appearances, scoring 640 goals.

straight to your inboxIt's no surprise that as the January transfer window approaches, Manchester City are once again being linked with Lionel Messi.City fans were hopeful of completing a sensational move for Messi over a two-week period in the summer when he announced his intention to leave Barcelona, but the Argentine ultimately opted to stay to avoid a costly legal battle over his contract.When confirming his decision to stay, Messi made it clear he remained unhappy with Barcelona and that he

straight to your inboxManchester City are to prioritise the signing of a new top-class striker next summer, with Erling Braut Haaland and Lautaro Martinez the top targets, according to reports.City have not signed an out-and-out striker since Gabriel Jesus arrived at the club from Palmeiras in 2017, which is hardly surprising considering the form of the Brazilian and his teammate Sergio Aguero ever since.The Blues signed Aguero from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and he has gone on to become one of the

straight to your inbox every day, freeManchester United are reportedly considering a move for Borussia Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou in the summer.After spending £130million on defenders - in the shape of Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka - in the summer of 2019, further additions to the back-line weren't a priority in the previous transfer window.However, views soon changed following the 3-1 opening day defeat against Crystal Palace, with every goal coming from a defensive mishap, and