Misc Rumor - Soccer Wiretap

Lionel Messi: Barcelona Is 'My Home'

Feb 19, 2020 3:30 PM

Lionel Messi has gone on the record to say Barcelona is his "home" amid speculation he could leave the club.

Messi is believed to have frustrations with Barcelona both on and off the pitch this season. 

"I love Barcelona although I really do miss Rosario," he told Mundo Deportivo. "This is my home, I've been here longer than Argentina.

"I love Barcelona, where I live and I really enjoy what I do for a living."

Messi's current deal runs through 20-21, but there is a clause in his deal that would allow him to leave Barcelona this summer for free. 

ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Ralf Rangnick Reportedly Signs Contract With Milan

Feb 19, 2020 3:09 PM

Ralf Rangnick has reportedly signed a contract to take over at Milan this summer, according to L'Equipe.

Rangnick would have full control over the team, including buying, selling, and coaching players.

Rangnick, currently the ‘head of sport and development’ at RB Salzburg, is credited with overseeing the Red Bull sporting project. 

Football Italia

Tags: A.C. Milan, Misc Rumor

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Inter Linked With Dries Mertens, Jan Vertonghen

Feb 19, 2020 12:37 PM

Inter have been linked with summer moves for Dries Mertens and Jan Vertonghen.

Both Belgians will be available on free transfers.

Mertens has been rumored for an Inter move for several months.

Vertonghen could replace Diego Godin should Godin leave the club this summer. 

Football Italia

Tags: Internazionale, Napoli, Tottenham Hotspur, Misc Rumor

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Paul Pogba Expects To Leave United With Club Seeking $195M Fee

Feb 18, 2020 12:11 PM

Paul Pogba expects to leave Manchester United this summer, but the club will continue to hold out for a high fee.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are the preferred destinations of Pogba.

United are prepared to stick to their valuation of more than £150 million ($195 million).

Pogba has 18 months remaining on his contract after joining United for a then-record £89.3 million fee in 2016. United could also extend Pogba's contract until June 2022.

Pogba has not featured for United since coming on as a half-time substitute in the 4-1 win over Newcastle on Dec. 26 and has been restricted to just eight appearances all season. He underwent ankle surgery in January.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Pep Guardiola Believes He Could Be Fired If City Lose To Madrid In UCL

Feb 13, 2020 1:14 PM

Pep Guardiola believes he could be fired as manager of Manchester City if they lose to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

City is thought to be incredibly unlikely to fire Guardiola given his record overall for the club.

Guardiola has failed to take City beyond the quarterfinals of the Champions League in his previous three attempts.

“I want to win the Champions League,” Guardiola told Sky Sports. “I dream [of it] and I will enjoy preparing for the games against Madrid, to see what we can do and this process, two weeks before, will be the happiest moments of my profession, to imagine what we can do to beat them.

“If we don’t beat them, OK, come the chairman or the sport director and say, ‘It’s not good enough, we want the Champions League, I’m going to sack you’.

“OK, [I’d say], ‘Thank you, it was a pleasure’. I don’t know [if this would happen]. It has happened many times and could maybe happen.”

The Guardian

Tags: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Misc Rumor

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Mauricio Pochettino 'Would Love' To Return To Premier League

Feb 12, 2020 8:51 AM

Mauricio Pochettino has interest in returning to the Premier League.

Pochettino was spotted alongside Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward's advisor Neil Ashton on Tuesday.

"I would love to work in the Premier League," Pochettino said. "It's going to be difficult I know and for now it's a moment to wait and we'll see what happens.

"It's a moment of recovery, to think about yourself a little bit, and to be ready because in football always something can happen and you need to be ready.

"I'm ready and waiting for a new challenge. I have the belief and confidence that the next challenge will be fantastic."

ESPN

Tags: Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Misc Rumor

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City Monitoring Lionel Messi's Situation With Barcelona

Feb 5, 2020 10:48 PM

Manchester City are monitoring the public fall-out of Lionel Messi with Barcelona and believe they could possibly sign him if he decides to leave.

Messi reportedly has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave Barcelona for free at the end of the season, but it is unclear if he would be allowed to sign with a rival like Manchester City.

City privately admits it would be unlikely for Messi to leave either this summer or in 2021.

Messi has a strong relationship with director of football Txiki Begiristain, chief executive Ferran Soriano and manager Pep Guardiola.

Rob Dawson/ESPN

Tags: Barcelona, Manchester City, Misc Rumor, Transfer Rumor

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Atletico Madrid Reportedly Monitoring Mauricio Pochettino

Feb 5, 2020 2:39 PM

Atletico Madrid are reportedly monitoring Mauricio Pochettino's situation, according to reports in England.

Diego Simeone has struggled this season with Atleti currently in 6th place on the table.

Atleti sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly an admirer of Simeone, who has stated he wants to return to the Premier League or La Liga. 

Alberto P. Sierra/As.com

Tags: Atletico Madrid, Misc Rumor

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Ralf Rangnick Linked With Milan Move

Feb 3, 2020 12:19 PM

Ralf Rangnick has been linked with a summer move to Milan.

Rangnick is widely credited with overseeing the success of the Red Bull soccer philosophy.

Rangnick would reportedly be a manager, scout, and director, and would have full control in the transfer market.

Football Italia

Tags: RB Leipzig, A.C. Milan, Misc Rumor

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