Barcelona line up Lionel Messi, Inigo Martinez, Ilkay Gundogan and Bruno Guimaraes for summer spree - Paper Round
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Updated 29/05/2023 at 09:18 GMT
Barcelona have identified three free transfer targets - Lionel Messi, Inigo Martinez and Ilkay Gundogan - and Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes as their priority signings for the season ahead. Elsewhere, Manchester United could send Harry Maguire out on loan to one of four Italian clubs, while they remain confident over the signing of Harry Kane for £100 million.
'Messi in the air' - Barcelona fans celebrate club’s 27th La Liga title at Las Ramblas
Barcelona want three free transfers
Lionel Messi leads the list of free transfers that Barcelona are aiming for as they look to strengthen ahead of next season under Xavi Hernandez.
Despite winning La Liga this year, they remain in financial difficulties, so they need to keep their spending down and if they can avoid transfer fees, that will help.
The Mail writes: “Lionel Messi, Inigo Martinez and Ilkay Gundogan make up the holy trinity of free transfers that Barcelona want to build their summer around – one legend and two top internationals that will excite supporters and improve the quality of the team that has just won the league.
“Making it happen will not be easy and depend largely on how much slack they are cut by La Liga and how successful their attempts at selling players are.
“The club have to make up a £174 million [€200m] deficit in order to move with freedom in the transfer market, free from the shackles of La Liga’s 40% rule that will otherwise oblige them to spend only £35 million [€40m] of every £100 million they bring in by either increasing revenue or reducing costs.”
Barcelona set to spend big for Guimaraes
Fresh from helping Newcastle United secure Champions League football, Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes is a big-money target for Barcelona.
The Sun reports that the Spanish champions hope to bring in the Brazilian to reinforce their squad, which could help Newcastle balance their books.
“Barcelona want to sign Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes this summer,” the paper begins.
“The Catalan giants believe that the Brazilian ace can help catapult them back into Champions League contention.
“Selling Guimaraes would help Newcastle further strengthen their squad within the parameters of Financial Fair Play.
“And they would expect to command a club-record fee for a sale should they let him depart.
“Barca accept that Guimaraes is likely to cost around £87 million to prise away from the Toon.”
Maguire set for Serie A move
After Chris Smalling, Harry Maguire could become the latest English Manchester United defender to find a new home in Serie A.
The Mirror believes that four clubs - Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Roma - are all interested in taking the player on loan.
“Out-of-favour Manchester United defender Harry Maguire wants more starts next season after being linked with a loan move to either one of four Italian giants,” the report claims.
“Juventus, AC Milan, Inter and Roma have all been tipped to make a move for Maguire, who's ended up as fifth-choice centre-back under manager Erik ten Hag."
Ten Hag wants more money... and Kane
Erik ten Hag noted that other teams in the league spent big this season and that had cost him the signature of Cody Gakpo.
The Telegraph reports that Ten Hag hopes for more investment this summer, which should help him secure Harry Kane from Tottenham.
The paper writes: “United refused to sanction a £44 million deal for Cody Gakpo, one of Ten Hag’s leading forward targets, with the manager instead having to settle for underwhelming loan deals for striker Wout Weghorst, who did not score a league goal, midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and goalkeeper Jack Butland.
"By contrast, Newcastle paid Everton £40 million for Anthony Gordon, Arsenal spent over £50 million on Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho and Chelsea invested over £250 million.
“Ten Hag wants to add Harry Kane, the £100 million Tottenham striker, among others, but there is not thought to be a great deal of optimism within the corridors of power that a deal can be done for the England captain at this stage.”
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