Friday’s news and transfer rumour roundup.
Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi, 27, is ready to listen to Chelsea or Manchester City if the Premier League clubs offer a staggering £500m package for him to quit the La Liga giants this summer – (Daily Express)
Manchester United are looking at a £35m bid for defender Mats Hummels, 26, as boss Louis van Gaal looks to take advantage of Borussia Dortmund’s perilous league position in the German Bundesliga – (Daily Mirror)
However, van Gaal may have to wait until the summer to sign both Hummels and long-time defensive target Kevin Strootman, 24, from Roma with both players reported to be happy at their current clubs – (London Evening Standard)
Liverpool are considering a move for Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 22, as boss Brendan Rodgers considers replacements for Simon Mignolet – (Daily Star)
Newcastle are expected to speak to former Lyon coach Remi Garde about becoming the club’s new head coach next week – (Daily Telegraph)
Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, 23, has given both Arsenal and Liverpool a boost in their pursuit of the striker as he reveals he wants to play in Spain or England – (Daily Express)
Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic, 21, is poised to wrap up his move to German side Schalke over the coming days – (Daily Mail)
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, 24, has no interest in joining Olympiakos on loan after the Greek side offered to pay his wages in full until the end of the season – (Daily Star)
Manchester United could delay a decision on a new contract for goalkeeper David de Gea, 24, until the summer with the club facing the distraction of prioritising a decision on 28-year-old striker Radamel Falcao’s long-term future at Old Trafford – (Daily Telegraph)
De Gea has been offered a double your money, £140,000-a-week deal to extend his Manchester United contract – (Daily Star)
Tottenham are struggling to offload midfielder Paulinho, 26, because neither Inter Milan nor Schalke will match the £17m Spurs paid for the Brazilian in 2013 – (Daily Express)
But, the club look set to complete a loan deal for Paris St-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabot, 19 – (London Evening Standard)
Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert must find around £3m if he is to secure a deal for out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Scott Sinclair, 25 – (Birmingham Mail)
Celtic are lining up a £1.5m bid for Chesterfield striker Eoin Doyle, 24, who has also interested Rotherham and Sheffield United – (Daily Record)
Frank Lampard’s agent Steve Kutner says the 36-year-old midfielder will not extend his stay at Manchester City beyond the end of the Premier League season and will join New York City in July – (talkSPORT)
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, 25, will return to training at the club’s Melwood complex on Friday after working for nearly a month in the Unites States on his rehabilitation from a torn thigh muscle – (Liverpool Echo)
New Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew believes managing Newcastle will be “difficult” for his successor at St James’ Park because of the club’s financial and transfer policies – (Daily Express)
Former Barcelona coach Henk Ten Cate says that playmaker Lionel Messi, 27, is still at the Catalan side because of a “deathbed” promise to former coach Tito Vilanova – (Daily Mirror)
Everton boss Roberto Martinez says he will rectify problems that have led to a number of players picking up hamstring injuries with the club already replacing some of its medics – (Daily Mirror)
Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic, 25, will have to be dropped from the club’s Champions League squad of 21 players should City complete the £27m signing of Swansea striker Wilfried Bony, 26 – (Manchester Evening News)
Former Portugal star Luis Figo admits it is a tough choice for this year’s Ballon d’Or, describing playmakers Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, as the “truffles and caviar” of the football world – (Goal.com)
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move for £64m transfer target Isco – (Daily Express)
Dennis Wise’s son Henry has signed a one-year deal to play for Arsenal where the 15-year-old midfielder will team up with all three of David Beckham’s sons – Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz – as well as Frank Lampard’s nephew – (Daily Mail)
West Ham striker Andy Carroll’s career to date has been dogged by injury, but the 26-year-old ended up inadvertently injuring himself again off the pitch – while making lunch – (Metro)
Gordon Taylor apologises for comments he made comparing the Ched Evans case with the Hillsborough disaster – (Daily Express)