Paper Round: Man City’s £357m Lionel Messi bid; Come to Besiktas, Mesut Ozil?

Some staggering news coming from Spanish paper AS – via The Sun – claims that Manchester City are planning a £357m bid for Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The 30-year-old is yet to sign an extension at the Nou Camp, leaving Pep Guardiola dreaming of a reunion at the Etihad. Sources close to AS claim there have been “serious conversations” within the Messi Camp regarding a move to Manchester.

Paper Round’s view: After seeing Andres Iniesta sign a ‘lifelong’ deal at Barca, it seems more likely that Messi will follow suit. A move to Manchester? In the winter? It’s hard to imagine. Who knows how serious these “serious conversations” really were.

***

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil could be on his way to Besiktas, the Express claims. With the German nearing the end of his contract at the Emirates, reports suggest Besiktas have been ‘promised’ talks with Ozil, though Manchester United and Fenerbahce are also said to be interested.

Paper Round’s view: Arsenal should have moved on from this saga surrounding Ozil and Alexis Sanchez long ago, but can they risk offloading them in January? Most likely not.

***

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has set his sights on a December 2 clash against Arsenal, according to the Mirror. The Manchester United striker has been out since suffering knee ligament damage in April, and having extended his deal at Old Trafford, the Swede now hopes to return before the year’s end.

Paper Round’s view: The 36-year-old is recovering quicker than one would expect. Some would say, well that’s Zlatan, but medics would say it could be risky to throw him in at the deep end. The United medical staff will control the comeback – a December return would be remarkable. Now to see where he fits into Jose’s plans…

***

Italy want Antonio Conte back at the helm after the World Cup next summer. The Azzurri finished second in Group G behind Spain, and face a two-legged play-off – potentially against Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland – for a place in Russia. The Sun reports that the Italian FA are desperate to lure Conte back into the role once it’s all over, despite him only being halfway through his three-year deal at Chelsea.

Paper Round’s view: Not going to happen. Well, it doesn’t seem likely anyway. Though if the panic button really is being pressed, and the pressure continues to mount at Stamford Bridge, perhaps it would be the easy way out for the passionate Italian.