2014 Summer Transfer Rumours Mk. I

Barcelona have no worries over Lionel Messi and his future, admitting they are in 'constant' contact with his father and agent Jorge Messi.

Messi, 26, has four years left on his current deal, which he signed early last year - but talks are already underway over fresh terms.

Since signing his deal, Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new contract with rivals Real Madrid, making him the highest-paid player in the world - but it seems Messi is in line to usurp the Portuguese forward.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have been linked with possible world-record bids for the Argentine, but vice-president Javier Faus is not concerned.

Faus told TV3: "We are in permanent contact with Jorge Messi and are talking about all aspects of this improvement (of his contract), they are conversations that [Barca president Josep Maria] Bartomeu is having directly with the player's father.

"Barcelona fans should not worry, we are all convinced that he will retire in Barca's shirt."

Messi's hat-trick against Osasuna on Sunday saw him become the club's all-time leading goalscorer.

Faus also reiterated the club's stance on coach Gerardo Martino, amid reports he is looking to leave the club this summer.

"He is very enthusiastic (about the job) and the club want him to continue. The people who have dealings with him think that he is very switched on."

Di Marzio wrote:Chelsea appears ready pay the 42 million euro exit clause to acquire Diego Costa. Atletico Madrid is considering Inter striker Icardi to replace, but they also have other options. But there is also another development with Icardi, an English fund with investors from Qatar is interested in owning his rights, something he we often see with Brazilian players.

BeautifulGame wrote:Really doubt City are interested in him. I can't see any big PL club going for him unless he is happy at a club like spurs.

We will most likely sign to Monaco (or PSG)

“He needs to play consistently and, at the moment, this isn’t possible at Bayern,” agent Erdin Shaqiri told Blick.

“Could he leave? There are clubs like Inter, Manchester United, Liverpool and others who are interested.

“If they confirm their interest, then we would be prepared to listen to offers.”

“Moving abroad? I don’t think it is too early,” he told L’Equipe. “It is about trust, and reaching a new step, I am not scared to go higher.”

“Another French club? I respect France but I would feel like betraying TFC if I would stay in Ligue 1.”

Wojciech Szczesny has revealed he would be happy to pledge himself to Arsenal for the rest of his career.

The Poland goalkeeper signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates last November and is firmly established as the No.1 in Arsene Wenger's side.

Arsenal have been linked with moves for the likes of Real Madrid's Iker Casillas and Barcelona's Victor Valdes this summer, but Szczesny says he would be happy to battle anyone for a starting spot at Arsenal.

"If they give me a contract to the end of my career, I'd sign it without any hesitation," Szczesny told Polish newspaper Przeglad Sportowy.

"I feel attached to the club and the coach who has given me a chance.

"There are not many who would do that but I must have been good. I see the future here.

"I'll play at Arsenal as long as am wanted here. I am not afraid to fight for number one with anyone: Fabianski or Casillas.

"I hope I won't make the boss think, 'Wojciech's not number one'. It's all in my hands. I am in the best form of my life."

"If Moratti calls me, why not?" he told Sky Sport Italy.

"I know that Inter has a new president (Erick Thohir) but Moratti is still there."

“If he was to leave Lazio, we will never find a club in Italy that will buy him, assuming the important figures that Claudio Lotito would ask for,” agent Ulisse Savini told Radiosei.

“How much is he worth? If a say a price Lotito will contradict me. But at present, according to my judgement, he cannot be worth less than €15million.

“I think Keita would be fine with a future in English football. I think that it is much better there than in Germany, for example.”

It’s reported Roma are preparing a summer bid for Manchester City striker Stevan Jovetic.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, President James Pallotta has targeted the Montenegro international as the ideal reinforcement for their Champions League campaign.

He would welcome a return to Serie A, having shone for Fiorentina before knee injuries took their toll.

Agent Fali Ramadani already worked with the Giallorossi when bringing Adem Ljajic from Fiorentina to the Stadio Olimpico.

Although Ljajic and Jovetic could reunite their Viola partnership, it’s more likely the Manchester City man would be a replacement for Tottenham transfer target Ljajic.

The price-tag is going to be a problem, as Manchester City paid £22m for Jovetic in July 2013.

There are reports an English and Qatari fund has offered €20m to sign Inter striker Mauro Icardi.

According to Tuttosport, the 21-year-old Argentine has caught the eye of a group of investors who want to put him on the market.

This type of ownership is commonplace in South America, though has caused controversy in Europe.

It is believed Icardi’s ultimate destination would be Atletico Madrid, but with part of his contract still owned by the fund.

Inter President Erick Thohir is said to be considering the deal, as it would give the club valuable funds to then plough into a summer signing such as Edin Dzeko or Alvaro Morata.

Icardi suffered from numerous groin problems this season and hit the headlines more for his private life than his on the field performances.

The former Sampdoria forward has scored three Serie A goals in 13 appearances this season.

Asked specifically about the interest from Anfield, he said: "It's normal. Every Benfica player is in a big window.

"The league is full of high quality players so it's normal for other clubs to be interested.

"Rodrigo is going through a good moment."

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that defender Jon Flanagan is set to be rewarded with a new contract.

The 21-year-old full-back has made an impressive breakthrough this season, playing both right and left for Rodgers.

Flanagan has started 14-league games this term and his progress is set to see him handed a new long-term deal.

"Jon will be given a new contract," Rodgers is quoted by the Daily Mirror.

"Come the summer he's got another year so he will definitely be given a new deal, no question.

"He has been outstanding. He reminded me of Steve Nicol against Manchester United on Sunday - a right-footed player on the left side, steady, aggressive, no fear.

"He's been a revelation, and particularly in the big games. It's great when you see a young player develop like that. You can see the confidence he has now. He has made himself an important member of the squad.

"He is young but his performance levels are so mature. They had to change (Juan) Mata over at the weekend, he booted Mata over to the other side and then (Adnan) Januzaj as well. He's not easily fazed. I think the biggest thing for me has been his temperament.

"He never really featured for me at all at the start, there was Jose Enrique and others considered in front of him. We spoke a number of times about him going out on loan but no one came in for him.

"I had (England Under-21 manager) Gareth Southgate down here and he was raving over him. He is a wonderful young talent but in order to stay at that level he needs to focus and concentrate on staying in the team.

"He thought the opportunity might have passed him by but now he is grabbing it with both hands and doesn't want to let it go. You can see the hunger and his quality in his performances."

Di Marzio wrote:He is the goal keeper of the moment and many clubs are taking notice. Thibaut Courtouis has been one of the reasons for Atletico Madrid’s remarkable season thanks to his great saves, which were often decisive. The Belgian goalkeeper is very young, he was born in 1992 and he is improving game after game. Chelsea owns him, and he has two years left on his contract with the London based club. At the end of the season the goalkeeper is expected to return to London, but Real Madrid is very interested in him. In June there will be more contacts, but it’s really up to Chelsea. Courtouis’ career is taking off, the question is- where will his next stop be?

Di Marzio wrote:His present and future will be in Rome. Keita is making a name for himself at Lazio with his great skill as well as his goals and assists. Keita continues to impress match after match and now Lazio is ready to reward him. They have agreed in principle on a contract extension though 2017 with a base salary of 400,000 euro next which will increase over life of the contract. Lazio will continue to build their future around Keita.

Fernando Torres admits he would like to work under former team-mate Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid and is unsure over his long-term future at Chelsea.

The Blues have been linked with a move for Atletico striker Diego Costa with manager Jose Mourinho concerned about the lack of goals in his side.

Mourinho was secretly recorded by French television station Canal+ saying that "the problem is we lack a scorer" and has targeted Costa, who has a £32m release clause in his contract.

Torres has two years left to run on his Stamford Bridge deal and hinted he would be receptive to a return to Atletico, where he played alongside current manager Simeone for two seasons.

When asked in Spain if he would return to Madrid, Torres told AS: "In football you never know. You can't be sure where you're going to be tomorrow or in a week or in 10 years.

"I have a lot of admiration for Cholo (Simeone) from when we were team-mates. He helped me a lot and taught me to be captain. He taught me many things in our seasons together at Atleti.

"I always want to work alongside people I admire. I admired from the outside Rafael Benitez and had the opportunity to work with him. It was the same with Jose Mourinho and Luis Aragones.

"I have been fortunate to work with people who you say from the outside 'What do they have? What is their secret? Why do all their teams win?' Simeone is like (Pep) Guardiola or other coaches. You'd get to see how they train.

"The twists and turns of life are unknown. I don't have to meet Simeone either here (at Chelsea) or with Atleti. Who would have said I would work with Benitez at two English teams?"

Torres commanded a British record fee of £50m when Chelsea bought him from Liverpool three years ago and despite only scoring 43 times in 161 games, the striker is pleased with his contribution to the team's trophy haul in that time.

"If a club pays £50m for you, certain things are expected and, if things go badly, the criticism is much heavier and the reactions are much more extreme," said the 30-year-old.

"If things go well, that's seen as normal, because you're expected to score. The Chelsea fans understand that completely.

"In two-and-a-half seasons, I've won a Champions League, an FA Cup and a Europa League, and I still have years remaining at Chelsea in which to keep on winning more trophies."