Real Madrid players stunned by Messi exit talk; Mane rejected Man Utd over Van Gaal – ESPN

Julien Laurens believes Weston McKennie is the ideal gamer for Andrea Pirlo to generate for Juves reconstruct.

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Boga a guy in demand.

Transfer window closes.
Oct. 5.

Look for “Messi” hovered worldwide at interest level 5– according to Google Trends “interest” algorithm– at 12:24 p.m. E.T., however after the shock news that he might be proceeding, look for “Messi” rocketed to 100 within just two hours and eight minutes. In that exact same afternoon duration, “coronavirus” went from a stable 59 ranking worldwide to 54.
All of Latin America, aside from Guyana and the Dominican Republic, the vast majority of Africa and even China browsed more for “Messi” than “coronavirus” on Aug. 25. In the United States, there were over 500,000 searches for “Messi,” although COVID-19 beat the 33-year-old 70-30, while California was the state closest to edging Messi past coronavirus, with a 37-63 split.
– Lowe: Messi, bad blood and burofax.
Remarkably, Guinea, Ivory Coast and Burkino Faso were the countries most weighted towards Messi, while the associated terms to look for “Messi” raised some brand-new vocabulary to a number of us: “burofax,” “burofax Messi” and “Messi fax.”– Tom Marshall.

Serie A begins.
Sept. 19.

McKennie declined Premier League to eliminate for Juve location.
USMNT star Weston McKennie rejected a relocate to the Premier League in favour of Serie A giants Juventus due to the fact that he could not resist the difficulty on both a sporting perspective and a larger level, a source close to the scenario informed ESPN.
– Stream Serie A video games on ESPN+.
Southampton liked Schalke midfielder McKennie however he is set for a relocate to Juve, believing he has the capability to push Adrien Rabiot, Rodrigo Bentancur and new arrival from Barcelona Arthur for a starting spot in Andrea Pirlos XI. The opportunity to have fun with Cristiano Ronaldo was also an aspect in his choice, sources stated.
– How the summertime transfer market works – Kuper: Coronavirus impact on transfers – Barnwells finest relocations: 100-51|50-1 – Best declaration finalizings ever – Summer transfer grades – Latest completed major transfers.
McKennies relocation to a top European club, leaving Bundesliga strugglers Schalke behind, would likewise improve his profile Stateside as he aims to impose himself on a Juventus team intending to win their 10th Serie A title in a row this season. Topped 19 times by his country, McKennies transfer to Juventus further puts the USMNTs rising stars in the spotlight at major European clubs, with Christian Pulisic shining for Borussia Dortmund and now Chelsea. Gio Reyna, on the other hand, is wishing to end up being one of the stars of the 2020-21 Bundesliga season for BVB.
At RB Leipzig, another Champions League club, Tyler Adams impressed at the mini tournament in Lisbon. Keeper Zack Steffen has returned to Manchester City following a year with Fortuna Dusseldorf and intends to win minutes and experience under Pep Guardiola in the coming season.
McKennies transfer to Juventus should be made official soon, with sources informing ESPN it will at first be a loan relocation however with an obligatory choice to make the switch permanent.– Stephan Uersfeld.

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UCL group stage begins.
Oct. 20.

Even a day later, on Wednesday, players were still saying they found it hard to believe that Messi would follow through on his hazard to walk away, bringing a 20-year relationship with Barcelona to an end. Not a single member of this Real Madrid team has actually experienced El Clasico without Messi, with even seasoned captain Sergio Ramos joining the summer after Messi made his competitive Barca debut in October 2004. Messi is the all-time Clasico leading scorer with 26 objectives, 18 of them in La Liga. All of Latin America, aside from Guyana and the Dominican Republic, the vast bulk of Africa and even China searched more for “Messi” than “coronavirus” on Aug. 25. In the United States, there were over 500,000 searches for “Messi,” although COVID-19 beat the 33-year-old 70-30, while California was the state closest to edging Messi past coronavirus, with a 37-63 split.

Boga, 23, satisfied for Sassuolo last season– scoring 11 and contributing 4 assists in Serie A– and ESPN sources state a charge in the area of ₤ 25m will suffice to protect his services.
Sources say Napoli and Atalanta have both made Boga a priority while Roma, now under brand-new U.S. ownership, are also keen to recruit the Ivory Coast winger. Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen are also interested, as are Everton in the Premier League.
Boga began his career at Chelsea, before signing an irreversible handle Sassuolo in 2018 for ₤ 3.5 m, and was on Manchester Uniteds radar earlier in the summertime as a prospective option to their No. 1 target Jadon Sancho.– Tom Hamilton.

Champions League last.
Aug. 23.

Koeman hands Alba, Pique, Busquets a reprieve.
Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba will all get a 2nd opportunity at Barcelona regardless of the overhaul planned this summertime, sources have actually informed ESPN.
President Josep Maria Bartomeu didnt call any of them among the gamers that are not for sale in an interview with the clubs television channel earlier this month, triggering rumours they were all expendable.
Sources say new Barca coach Koeman has actually communicated to all 3 that they will have a function to play under him next season. The Dutch coach wishes to keep a core of La Masia gamers, although they might need to strive to keep their locations in the team.
Busquets, 32, has actually currently responded by going back to training early. Barca were due back in for preseason on Monday however the midfielder has been back at the training ground because Wednesday to get a head start on his teammates.
A variety of other Barca players will not be handed a reprieve. Reports today suggest Koeman informed Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Samuel Umtiti they can all find brand-new clubs.– Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens.

Bundesliga begins.
Sept. 18.

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Craig Burley assesses Neymars future at PSG and discusses why a go back to Barcelona isnt the response.

Lionel Messis decision to give up Barcelona has actually stunned the world of football. Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/ AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty ImagesMane had no desire for United move under Van Gaal
Louis van Gaals most current evaluation of his two-year spell in charge of Manchester United between 2014 and 2016 has prompted raised eyebrows at Old Trafford, with sources telling ESPN that his recollections of his time as manager do not rather tally with reality.
– Messi tells Barca he wants out – sources – Messi move may have MLS provision – sources – Messi spoke to Pep about move – sources – Man Utd captain guilty of assault, bribery – MLS aborts 5 games amidst Blake demonstrations
In an interview with FourFourTwo publication, Van Gaal said United stopped working to sign a minimum of 10 of his leading targets, consisting of Neymar, Robert Lewandowski, Sadio Mane and even the Liverpool veteran James Milner. Genuine Madrid captain Sergio Ramos was another name cited by Van Gaal, with the Spain defender eventually signing a new long-term agreement at the Bernabeu following well-publicised interest from United in 2015.
Sources have actually informed ESPN that, instead of fail to negotiate a handle Southampton for Mane, the transfer did not materialise due to the fact that the Senegal forward had no desire to play for Van Gaal due to his restrictive methods and reluctance to encourage flair gamers.
And while United did make queries about Neymar and Bayern Munichs Thomas Muller, Van Gaal pressed through the finalizings of Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger, in spite of the appointments of senior figures within the club at the time.
An offer was also lined up for Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to change David De Gea prior to the No. 1s stopped working transfer to Real Madrid in 2015, while a contract to sign Toni Kroos from Bayern Munich in 2014, which had actually been negotiated by David Moyes, was deserted following Van Gaals arrival as supervisor in place of the Scot.
Sources have informed ESPN that United “lost control” of recruitment throughout Van Gaals time in charge which subsequent managers, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, have both been required to reconstruct while rectifying their mistakes.– Mark Ogden

Mark Ogden provides the current inside scoop on Manchester Uniteds pursuit of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.

La Liga starts.
Sept. 12.

Reguilon in limbo after Chelsea land Chilwell.
Chelsea finalizing Ben Chilwell indicates Sergio Reguilon is still on the marketplace– much to the surprise of people close to the Real Madrid defender, who were encouraged he was headed for Stamford Bridge.
Left-back Reguilon amazed once again for Sevilla recently in their 3-2 Europa League final win over Inter, the last game of his season-long loan there.
Dan Thomas is signed up with by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and a host of other guests every day as football plots a path through the coronavirus crisis. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. just).
His performances have not been enough to convince Zinedine Zidane– who has Marcelo and Ferland Mendy in the exact same position– to include the 23-year-old, while Madrid are keen to raise money this summer season.
Talks with Chelsea were advancing well as they looked for alternatives to Chilwell, prior to Leicester reduced their excessive EUR80m evaluation to EUR50m.
Reguilon is readily available for half that, and sources have told ESPN that Chelsea arent the only top Premier League club to have taken a severe appearance at the full-back, while there has likewise been interest from Serie A.
Sevilla would love to keep him after a successful year in Andalusia however are mindful they are not likely to be able to contend financially with other suitors, or meet Madrids EUR25m asking rate.– Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez.

Mark Ogden thinks Lionel Messi need to consider a transfer to MLS as he seeks to leave Barcelona.

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Invite to ESPNs Insider Notebook, including contributions from our reporters throughout the top leagues all over the world.
In this edition, theres response from Barcelonas bitter rivals on Lionel Messis shock news. Plus: Sadio Mane might have signed up with Manchester United … however for Louis van Gaal.
Jump to: Mane turned down United over LVG
Genuine Madrid gamers incredulous at Messi exit talk
Genuine Madrids gamers were stunned by Lionel Messis request to leave competitors Barcelona, sources near the dressing room have informed ESPN, with a frenzied bout of WhatsApp messaging following as they, like the remainder of the football world, concerned terms with the weeks shock news. The squad were stated to be “incredulous” when reports initially surfaced on Tuesday that Messi had officially alerted the Catalan club of his desire to leave.
– Messi to quit Barca: How social networks reacted- Hunter: Why Barca needs to let him go- Vickery: Coutinho can fill Messi space- First Tom Brady, now Messi: The year of the break up
Even a day later, on Wednesday, gamers were still saying they found it hard to think that Messi would follow through on his threat to walk away, bringing a 20-year relationship with Barcelona to an end. Not a single member of this Real Madrid squad has experienced El Clasico without Messi, with even veteran captain Sergio Ramos joining the summer after Messi made his competitive Barca launching in October 2004.
Messis discontent with the situation at Barcelona in recent months– both on and off the pitch– has been no secret. Despite this months 8-2 knocking by Bayern Munich in the Champions League and brand-new coach Ronald Koeman excited to offload Luis Suarez, Madrids gamers were stunned at the manner and timing of Messis attempt to force an exit.
A relatively drama-free, albeit frugal summertime at the Bernabeu– without any significant finalizings planned, and the most pressing matter discovering a purchaser for Gareth Bale– makes for rather a contrast with the mayhem at Camp Nou.
The team will be able to go over the prospect of protecting La Liga against a Messi-less Barca next week when they return for preseason training.– Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez

Neighborhood Shield.
Aug. 29.

Europa League last.
Aug. 21.

Sassuolos Jeremie Boga is being gone after by five major European teams with clubs from Italy, Germany and England all crazy about the left winger.

Premier League begins.
Sept. 12.

Messi more popular than coronavirus.
COVID-19 has actually been the bane of 2020, a historic occasion that has actually altered the world forever. For a quick five hours or so last Tuesday, the ruckus surrounding Messis demand to leave Barcelona superseded “coronavirus” in terms of world interest … at least on Google Trends.
KEY DATES 2020-21.

UEFA Nations League.
Sept. 4-9.

UEL group phase begins.
Oct. 22.

ESPN FCs Craig Burley evaluates Chelseas newest left back.