Friday’s transfer news: Lionel Messi ‘doubts’ Barcelona future, Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool latest and Man Utd attempt to hijack Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes deal

It’ll be the signing of the summer and perhaps the signing of the century as Lionel Messi continues to have “doubts” over his future despite meeting with new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman. The 33-year-old earns up to €100 million per year pre-tax, while his €700 million release clause could prove prohibitive. The Dutchman is keen on compatriot and Liverpool star Gini Wijnaldum as one of his first signings at the Nou Camp.

Elsewhere there could be monster moves for Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz, who could follow compatriot Timo Werner to Stamford Bridge. While Gareth Bale has emerged as an option for Jose Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur with his Real Madrid future not just uncertain but all but over with his sour relationship with Zinedine Zidane and the board.

Then there’s Manchester United and their ongoing negotiations with Borussia Dortmund for Jadon Sancho, with personal terms also a sticking point between the Red Devils and the England international. We’ll have all the live updates and latest speculation right here.

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The noise surrounding a proposed move for Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool intensifies, but officials on Merseyside insist the chatter is more advanced than the reality.

There is no ambiguity that Jurgen Klopp is a great admirer of the midfielder, and while he jars with the club’s usual strategy in terms of age, stage of career and injury record, the 29-year-old is a world-class, press-resistant player with supreme ball retention and progression attributes.

Given his pedigree and technical rareness, Liverpool are significantly interested in Thiago. It would be remiss of them not to explore the possibility of recruiting him.

He is in the final year of his contract at the Allianz Arena, and naturally talks have taken place with his camp.

The Spain international is enthused by a move to Anfield and while his cost of around £30m and top-bracket wages would be weighty in a coronavirus-affected market when there is still so much up in the air around income next season, finance is not the key determining factor over a deal.