Transfer news LIVE: Latest news and gossip from across the globe
Saturday 3 November
- Mourinho changes stance on Martial
- Guardiola responds to Messi claims
- Chelsea make quick decision
Mourinho’s Martial claim
Jose Mourinho insists he wants Anthony Martial to agree a new deal at Manchester United.
The pair appear to have buried their differences with Martial beginning to shine in recent weeks.
The France star has scored four in his last four and Mourinho has now urged him to sign the new contract on offer.
“I hope they will agree,” he said. “He’s a talented player with consistency and understanding what a football match is in the globality.
“When you reach that level, or when you are almost reaching that level, is when you become a top player.
“One thing is top talent, another is a top player. He is now much closer to being a top player.
“Obviously I would like him to stay.
“I know the club wants him very much to stay. Hopefully he is going to stay.”
Guardiola discusses Messi deal
Pep Guardiola insists he never tried to sign Lionel Messi.
Messi has again been linked with a move to Manchester with claims the Premier League champions are ready to pay his £220m release clause.
It has been reported that City would pay him an stunning £850,000 a week.
But Guardiola insists that’s not the case.
“When I left Barcelona and went to Bayern Munich and Manchester City I never asked Messi to come here,” he said.
“I never went to both clubs and said I want this player.
“I know how important he is for Barcelona. I never made the first step to say I want this player. Never.
“I said a thousand times I want him to stay at Barcelona. I want that.”
Chelsea make Kovacic decision
Chelsea currently have no plans on retaining Mateo Kovacic beyond his season-long loan from Real Madrid.
The Croatia star joined in the summer and has been in and out of the team since.
He has made 12 appearances in all competitions but Ross Barkley’s form is a threat to him, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is also gunning for a place.
And it is understood Chelsea are not planning on offering him a longer deal.
And Martin Keown thinks Sarri wouldn’t have signed Kovacic had he known more about Barkley and Loftus-Cheek.
“I honestly believe that had Maurizio Sarri known just how good Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were, Chelsea would not have taken Mateo Kovacic on loan,” Keown said.
“It’s nice problem for Sarri to have. You cannot drop N’Golo Kante so there are three players fighting for one midfield berth.
“If Chelsea had to make a choice between Kovacic and Loftus-Cheek, I would rather send Kovacic back to Real Madrid than send Loftus-Creek out on loan.