Thierry Henry has stepped down as manager of CF Montreal.

"It is with a heavy heart that I've decided to take this decision," Henry said in a news release. "The last year has been an extremely difficult one for me personally. Due to the worldwide pandemic, I was unable to see my children.

"Unfortunately due to the ongoing restrictions and the fact that we will have to relocate to the U.S. again for several months will be no different. The separation is too much of a strain for me and my kids. Therefore, it is with much sadness that I must take the decision to return to London and leave CF Montreal."

Henry was named manager of Montreal in November 2019.

"Thierry's departure is unfortunate and premature because this was very promising, but he informed me of his desire to be back with his family because the situation was and remains very difficult for both him and his family," said CF Montreal sporting director Olivier Renard. "I want to thank him, first on a human level because he led the players by example last year by being away from his family, but also from a sporting level and for what we have built together since his arrival. We wanted to elevate this club and we are on the right track. The process of finding a new head coach is already underway and I will be looking for someone who is aligned with the philosophy we have implemented."

Ole Gunnar Solskjær admitted he remains in touch with Erling Haaland, who has been a target of Manchester United in the past. United as close to sign Haaland in 2019 but he instead moved from Red Bull Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund.

Solskjær managed Haaland at Molde. 

Solskjær was asked his opinion of Haaland and whether he would like him at United. “When you have had kids and players through as a coach, you follow them and I keep in touch with Erling,” he said. “It’s great to see him become the player he has become and [how] he works to improve all the time. He’s a Dortmund player – we just wish him well there and let’s see what life will bring later on.

“You know I can’t speak about Erling because he’s at Borussia Dortmund, and it’s disrespectful to talk too much about it, apart from that I know him and I speak to him. Who wasn’t interested in him a year ago? Everybody would say you would take the best players in the world and Erling is a top player.”

Barcelona have intensified their interest in signing Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad. 

Martin Braithwaite has been Barca's only No. 9 since September, when they sold Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid in a deal that could be worth up to €11 million.

Isak, 21, is a player who has been on the club's radar for a while and his performances since moving to Spain in 2019 have impressed Barca scouts, who believe similarities between Real Sociedad and Barca's playing styles would ease his adaption.

Manchester City have not opened transfer talks with Lionel Messi and will allow him to decide his future with Barcelona before considering formal negotiations.

City chiefs have been angered by reports the club have already tabled an offer to Messi ahead of a possible free transfer move.

Messi has been free to talk to clubs outside Spain since January but sources have told ESPN he has not yet made a decision on where he will play next season and his representatives have not held talks over potential moves.

Thomas Tuchel would like Christian Pulisic to remain with Chelsea, but admitted "no decisions" have been made about his future with the club.

A lack of match time has fueled speculation about Pulisic's place with Chelsea. 

"Yes, today, clearly yes, but it is not only my point of view," said Tuchel when asked if Pulisic has a future with Chelsea. "We have to see. For me, clearly yes because Chelsea bought Christian for a reason, for his quality, for his potential, and it is our job to bring out the best in him.

"He proved in many weeks that he has the level to be a Chelsea regular player, to have a big impact in this club. It's a challenge now to hold this level, to improve and to maintain the level and keep improving."

Pulisic has struggled with injury issues since arriving at Chelsea in 2019.

The LA Galaxy have signed midfielder Alex Alcala to a contract at the age of 15.

Alcala has been training with the Galaxy Academy since 2020 and this will be his first professional contract. 

"Alex is a young talent who we are pleased will develop in a professional environment," LA Galaxy general manager Dennis te Kloese told the club's official website.

"We believe that the structure and resources that we will provide him will allow him to continue to grow as both a player and a person. We look forward to Alex representing our club."

David Alaba is set to leave Bayern Munich at the end of this season on a free transfer.

"I have made the decision to try something new after this season and to leave the club. It was a difficult decision. I have been here for 13 years. I made so many memories here," said Alaba.

Alaba won nine Bundesliga titles and two Champions League trophies during his 13 years at Bayern.

The 28-year-old has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Chelsea. 

Austin FC has signed Tomas Pochettino as a designated player.

"Tomas is a player we've monitored for almost a year now, and we're excited to have landed him," Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff said in a team statement.

Wolff added that Pochettino has "very good qualities to the way that we want to play, he's an attack-minded midfielder, has very good dynamics in and around the penalty box to combine and to shoot from distance."

Chelsea have dropped out of their pursuit to sign David Alaba with Real Madrid's position improving even further.

Chelsea had interest but have been unwilling to break their current wage structure. 

Madrid have been in talks with Alaba since last month and are thought to be close to securing Alaba's signature on a four-year contract worth almost £400,000-a-week.

Chelsea plan to interject themselves into Real Madrid's pursuit of David Alaba.

Real Madrid, however, remain the strong favorites to sign Alaba.

Alaba will be free to leave Bayern Munich this summer on a free transfer.

Liverpool and Manchester United have also been linked to Alaba.