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Sandesh Jhingan is all set for his first European sojourn after being close to signing a deal with Croatian outfit HNK Sibenik. 

Although the sturdy defender had signed a five-year contract with ATK Mohun Bagan last year, he has activated a clause that allows him to terminate the contract should a foreign club come calling.  

HNK Sibenik is a top division club in Croatia who are currently struggling at the ninth spot in a 10-team league with just one point from four matches. Last season, they finished on the sixth spot. In Croatia, a team plays 36 matches a season.

With Jhingan moving to Croatia let us take a look at the rules and regulations regarding foreign player registrations in the European nation.

How many foreign players can be registered by a club in Croatia? 

Article 7 clause 11 of the HNS (Croatian Football Federation) Regulations on the Status of Players and Registration states that 'the number of players who are foreign nationals that may be registered with one club is not limited.'

There are currently 348 registered players in the top division league of Croatia. Out of them, 136 are foreign nationals which constitute 39.1 per cent. 

When can players be registered in Croatia? 

Player registration periods are: summer registration period and winter registration period.

The summer registration period begins on 15th June and ends on 31st August each year, and the winter registration period begins on 18th January and ends on 15th February each year. 

When will Jhingan become eligible to play? 

Jhingan will be eligible to play from the next day after registration in COMET, the player register of the HNS. The registration must be verified by HNS and only then the player becomes eligible to play, from the very next day of recognition.

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Tinashe Nengomasha believes Willard Katsande no longer had a place in the Amakhosi squad following the arrival of some new players.

Chiefs recently released Katsande who had been at the club for a decade.

With the Soweto giants having signed the likes of Keagan Dolly, Phathutshedzo Nange and Cole Alexander, the future of Katsande at Chiefs became complicated.

Nengomasha says emotions should not be attached in analysing Katsande’s departure.

“People are making a mistake if they talk about football that way, that when one player gets a contract one must also get it,” Nengomasha told Sowetan Live.

“Let's not take football with emotions. Let's be honest... how many midfielders Chiefs signed? Football is business, you can't have many players in one position, so I believe it was about time Willard left because the club acquired more midfielders.”

The return of coach Stuart Baxter had provided some hope for Katsande to be retained after former coach Gavin Hunt had shown little faith in the player.

The Zimbabwean has since found a new home after signing for Sekhukhune United. 

Interestingly, Katsande became the longest-serving foreign player at Chiefs, a record previously held by Nengomasha.

With 18-year-old Keletso Sifama having returned from a loan stint at Maritzburg United, Katsande’s chances of staying at Naturena diminished. 

“Remember, even Cardoso played at central midfield under Gavin Hunt and I think he did well there, so in Willard's case you also have to look at all those dimensions,” added Nengomasha.

“In football, players come and go and that's the nature of the game. There's always a time to restructure and that's what Chiefs are doing, hence they let some players go including Willard, who has done well for the club in the past years.”

Under Hunt, Katsande saw little game time as the former Chiefs coach preferred Njabulo Blom as a holding midfielder. 

Anthony Akumu was also selected ahead of Katsande in some instances, while centre-back Cardoso was fielded as a defensive midfielder for a number of games.  

Lionel Messi says he is excited to play alongside the world's "best players" after joining Paris Saint-Germain.

The Argentina star signed a two-year contract with an option for a third after leaving Barcelona this summer.

The move sees him reunite with ex-Barca team-mate Neymar and France striker Kylian Mbappe and the forward is excited to feature alongside the pair.

What has been said?

Asked about combining with the two attackers at Parc des Princes, Messi told reporters: "I am very happy. It's crazy.

"I had a lot of envy; but I'm going to play with the best players in the world, and that's always good."

Messi targets Champions League title with PSG

PSG are looking to win back the Ligue 1 title this season after losing out to Lille last term, while the club's great ambition is to lift the Champions League crown.

Messi, who won the European title four times with Barcelona, is confident his side can embark on a serious challenge for major silverware in 2021-22, saying: "Truly. I feel this club is ready to fight for every title.

"My only will now is to start training with my new team-mates. I still want to win, as I wanted it in the first moment of my career. I want to keep winning titles and that is why I came here to this club."

He added: "This team is ready. There are some new transfers, but they have been close and are ready [to win the Champions League]. I have just come here to help. My dream is to win this trophy again and I think Paris is the best place to do so."

Further reading

ATK Mohun Bagan and India national team defender Sandesh Jhingan is all set to join Croatian First Football League side HNK Sibenik for the upcoming 2021/22 season.

When the deal goes through, the 28-year-old central defender will become the latest Indian male footballer to play professionally in Europe. Bengaluru FC custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was the last player to play in a top division European league.

Mohammedan Sporting great Mohammed Salim was the first Indian player to play for an European club when he played to matches donning the Celtic jersey in 1936 when he went to Scotland for trial with the club. 

He had impressed the Celtic management and was very close to sign a professional contract which would have made him not just the first Indian but also the first Asian player to play professionally in Europe but unfortunately, he became homesick and decided to return.

In 1999, Indian football legend Bhaichung Bhutia became the first Indian male footballer to sign for an European club when he joined English third tier side Bury FC. At that point he was also the youngest Indian player (22) to play abroad.

Bhutia stayed in England for three seasons before returning to India in 2002 and join Mohun Bagan. In 2003, he once again opted to move out of the country ply his trade at then Malaysian top division club Perak FA.

Other than Bhutia, notable players like Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu have also played abroad. In 2010, Chhetri joined MSL side Kansas City Wizards and then again in 2012 he went to Portugal and joined the reserves side of Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon.

Sandhu had played at Norwegian club Stabaek from 2014 to 2017. During his time in Norway, he had become the first Indian player to play in the Europa League. Sandhu and Romeo Fernandes, who had joined Brazil's Atletico Paranaense in 2015, are the youngest Indian male players along with Bhaichung Bhutia to join a foreign club.

Here we take a look at some of the prominent male Indian footballers who have played abroad and in which age they left the country.

Football Kenya Federation Premier League sides, especially Gor Mahia, may fail to land their primary targets after the current players came up with a move to sabotage transfer business.

According to s source close to the development, players at Gor Mahia have warned the possible targets not to sign for the local giants due to the financial challenges the club is undergoing.

K'Ogalo have identified a number of players who they hope to bring on board before the new season begins in almost two months' time.

"The players are warning their counterparts not to sign for Gor Mahia because financial security is not guaranteed," the source told Goal.

"It is not happening only at Gor Mahia, as I understand, even players from our rivals have warned those who are considered possible new players not to sign."\
 
"According to the players, the new ones will be signing a ticket to hell should they join us if financial security is assured. This is a new phenomenon, especially at a time when we are looking to bring on board local and foreign players.
 
"We understand the challenges we are facing now, but I do not think it is right for the players to scare away others.

"At Gor Mahia, you are guaranteed a bigger platform to market yourself and interact with the most competitive players, but at the end of the day, it is the potential new players that will make the decision."

The forward is understood to be unwilling to extend his contract as he wants his sign-on fee and outstanding arrears cleared first.
 
Although the source did not mention the other clubs whose players are sabotaging their transfer moves, Goal understands AFC Leopards could witness a mass exodus once the season ends due to financial hiccups.

Already, Fabrice Nugheni left even before he completed a full season with the local giants.
 
Ulinzi Stars, Bidco United, Bandari, Nzoia Sugar, KCB, Kakamega Homeboyz and Tusker are Kenyan clubs that rarely fail to pay their players' dues.

Gor Mahia are set to lose Clifton Miheso on a free transfer after his contract with the club expired.

The midfielder has been a key player for the team since joining them in 2019 from the National Super League side Kenya Police.

He has been diligently serving the outgoing Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions and was part of the squad that played in the Caf Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup preliminary rounds.

Why is Miheso leaving?

"Last Sunday, Miheso became a free agent after the expiry of his contract with Gor Mahia," a source close to the player told Goal on Wednesday.

"He is at liberty to negotiate with other teams since the suffering at the club has been too much. They have gone several months without salaries and the signing fee has not been settled as well.

"Many offers have come his way and I believe he will be in another team when the transfer window officially opens."

'He is negotiating with the club'

When reached for comment, Gor Mahia assistant coach Sammy Omollo conceded Miheso is out of contract but negotiations are in place with the management to extend his stay.

"It is not a secret, we all know Miheso is out of contract with the club," the former Posta Rangers coach told Goal.

"But he is negotiating with the club about the teams and the possibility of extending it. But I cannot comment further on the issue because it is managerial.

"We all know Miheso is a quality player and would love to have him beyond this season."

Who has left Gor Mahia?

So far, the Kenyan heavyweights have parted ways with their former captain Kenneth Muguna and defender Charles Momanyi.

The former has joined Tanzania Mainland League side Azam FC on a two-year contract. For Momanyi, he has a deal in principle with Tusker FC to join them for the new campaign.

The Brewers will be representing the country in the Caf Champions League next season.

Nigeria internationals Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun played all minutes for Rangers, however, they could do little to prevent the Gers from bowing out of the Champions League.

The Scottish Premiership side lost 2-1 at home to 10-man Malmoe FF at Ibrox Stadium on Tuesday night.

Steven Gerrard’s men had suffered a 2-1 loss in the first leg and heading into the second leg, they needed at least a 1-0 win to sail through.

Rangers began the game on an impressive note by dominating ball possession and that paid off in the 19th minute when they took the lead.

Profiting from a quick free-kick, Ryan Kent found the opportunity to beat his marker before sending a cross to Alfredo Morelos who headed past goalkeeper Johan Dahlin.

Seconds before the half-time break, Malmoe had Bonke Innocent sent off for a second caution. The Nigerian was given his marching orders by referee Slavko Vincic for a high challenge on Connor Goldson.

Notwithstanding the numerical disadvantage, the Allsvenskan outfit came out determined in the second half.

Antonio-Mirko Colak levelled matters for them in the 53rd minute and four minutes later, he completed his brace after converting a pass from Niklas Moisander.

Thus, Rangers crumbled following a 4-2 aggregate defeat.

At the Huvepharma Arena, Youssef El-Arabi found the net as Olympiacos played out a 2-2 with Ludogorets Razgrad.

The Greek side were trailing 2-1 but the Morocco international restored parity from the penalty spot following a foul in the hosts’ penalty area.

Four minutes to full time, Olympiacos had their Senegalese import Ousseynou Ba sent off for a second caution.

Despite playing with 10 men, Pedro Martins’ men held their nerves to end the game 2-2.

With aggregate scores tied at 3-3, the teams were separated by kicks from the penalty spot and Ludogorets advanced after a 4-1 win.

Elsewhere, Sofiane Diop was among the goal scorers as AS Monaco strolled past Sparta Prague 3-1.

Heading into the game, the Ligue 1 side had nothing to worry about having won the first leg 2-0 in Prague.  

However, they completed a double with an impressive win at the Stade Louis II, Monaco.

After a goalless first half, Gelson Martins put his team ahead in the 50th minute before Aleksandr Golovin doubled the advantage six minutes later after he was set up by Wissam Ben Yedder.

Although the visitors pulled one back through David Karlsson in the 78th minute, substitute Diop restored Monaco’s two-goal advantage with nine minutes left on the clock.

Lastly, Cameroon international Nicolas Ngamaleu found the net in the first half as Young Boys silenced CFR Cluj 3-1 at the Wankdorf Stadium, Bern.

The result took them to the next round after a 4-2 aggregate win.

Timo Werner has expressed his belief that Romelu Lukaku's presence at Chelsea will help him make a bigger impact in the final third as the Inter striker closes in on a return to Stamford Bridge.

Goal has reported that Chelsea have reached an agreement to re-sign Lukaku from Inter for a club-record fee of £98 million ($135m), with the 28-year-old set to commit to a lucrative five-year contract.

Lukaku will be expected to slot straight into Thomas Tuchel's lineup upon his arrival in west London, with it suggested that Werner's playing time could be reduced as a result, but he is hopeful that they can both lead the Blues' attack in 2021-22.

What's been said?

Werner says he played his best football when he had a target man to bounce off at RB Leipzig, who sold him to Chelsea for £47.5m ($66m) in June 2020, and he is confident that Lukaku can have a similarly positive impact on his game.

"He's probably one of the best three strikers in the world at the moment," The German forward told Sky Sports when quizzed on Lukaku. "There is no question about that. I don't think we need to say too much about him. He's a world-class striker who would benefit any team.

"I certainly think at Leipzig that it always helped me having a big striker alongside me. I think that's always good because I'm not the biggest and when you play up front on your own, you always have the attention of one or two defenders.

"It's a good new weapon to have in our game when you know that if you play a long ball, he will hold it up. And then the fast players around him can the set off - I think that's good for any team."

Lukaku & Werner compared

Lukaku failed to score in any of his 15 competitive outings in his first spell at Chelsea between 2011 and 2014, but went on to establish himself as one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League after being sold to Everton.

Manchester United then snapped up the Belgian for £75m ($104m) in 2017, and he hit 42 goals in 96 outings for the Red Devils, albeit without ever quite managing to convince supporters that he was good enough to be the club's long-term No.9.

United ultimately decided to offload Lukaku to Inter at the end of the 2018-19 campaign, with Antonio Conte subsequently bringing the best out of him at San Siro, where he has found the net 64 times in 95 appearances while becoming a Serie A winner.

Werner, meanwhile, established himself among the most deadly marksmen in the Bundesliga during his four-year stint at Leipzig, but only managed to score 12 goals in his debut campaign with Chelsea.

The 25-year-old did also record 15 assists while playing over 50 games in all competitions, helping the Blues conquer the Champions League in the process, but he will hope to rediscover his best form in front of goal alongside Lukaku as Tuchel's side target even more silverware in the new season.

Further reading

As the Football Kenya Federation Premier League campaign is set to end this month, Tusker have already identified three players to hopefully bolster their squad for the 2021/22 season.

Goal understands John Njuguna of Ulinzi Stars, former Kariobangi Sharks and Kenya international Brian Bwire, and Teddy Osok, have been listed as potential new players.

Osok is currently unattached after he left Zambian Super League side Kitwe United, and the Kenya U23 star could replace Hashim Sempala, whose Tusker contract recently ended.

"The three have been identified by our technical bench as players with the ability to make us strong and, thus, will be approached for talks in the transfer window. Our eyes are on them," a source at the club told Goal.

Osok - who has played for the junior national sides but is yet to feature for the senior side despite a number of call ups - has Premier League experience, having played for Nairobi Stima, Gor Mahia, KCB, Sofapaka, and Wazito FC.

Apart from Bwire, Osok and Njuguna, Harambee Stars goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been linked with a move to the Ruaraka club. Charles Momanyi, who is set to leave Gor Mahia at the end of the season, is understood to be on his way to the 2012 Premier League champions too.

Tusker are also keen to have Clyde Senaji back after his contract with AFC Leopards ended in June. Senaji grew into one of the most reliable players for Ingwe and earned a national call up for the African Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo in Lome.

Initially, Goal had reported that Robert Matano's side are keen on signing Elvis Rupia - who has scored 16 goals in the ongoing campaign - from AFC Leopards too.

Robert Mboya, Emery Mvuyekure, George Odhiambo, and Chris Onyango are players that the top-side are keen to release and create space for new ones.

Tusker - on top with 58 points - are engaged in a tight title race with KCB, who are second with one fewer point.

The Brewers secured the Caf Champions League slot and thus will need to sign players that are experienced enough to push for their continental ambitions.

Swallows FC have announced former Kaizer Chiefs left-back Yagan Sasman as their new player.

The Dube Birds have also confirmed the return of midfielder Given Thibedi, from Kaizer Chiefs as well.

Thibedi has been on loan at Swallows for the past two seasons but this time around it is not clear if he is on loan again or has signed permanently.

He will be donning the same shirt number 14 he has been wearing for the past two terms at the club.

But Sasman has signed a one-year deal and joins the Soweto side two weeks after he was released by Amakhosi.

He joins his new club to find veteran left-back Tebogo Langerman there, after he was also signed by Swallows this week from Mamelodi Sundowns.

In addition, Swallows coach Brandon Truter secured the services of another Sundowns player Jody February, who comes in to boost their goalkeeping department.

February will be fighting for a starting place against Virgil Vries, Thela Ngobeni and Sanele Tshabalala.

Also joining the Birds from Sundowns is midfielder Keletso Makgalwa who has been handed jersey number 35.

He arrives at Swallows after making just six Premier Soccer League app[earances for Masandawana last season.

Meanwhile, Truter has found a replacement for centre-back Njabulo Ngcobo by beating Sundowns to the signature of Katlego Mohamme from Pretoria University.

South Africa national Under-23 player Mohamme can also play as a left-back but is more comfortable at the heart of the defence.

There was a gap in Swallows’ central defence following the departure of Ngcobo to Kaizer Chiefs.

Midfielder Dillon Solomons has also been added to the Swallows squad coming from National First Division side Cape Town All Stars.

He arrives with only three PSL games for Stellenbosch during the 2019/20 seasons as his only experience in the top-flight league. 

Some of the new signings could play when Swallows visit Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates for Saturday’s MTN8 quarter-final match.

The El Clasico, one of the most iconic matches in football, will no longer feature two of the greatest players of the modern era, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from the upcoming 2021/22 season.

With Messi leaving Barcelona and joining Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, a golden era of El Clasico comes to an end. Cristiano Ronaldo had left Real Madrid for Juventus at the end of the 2018-18 season.

Both the Argentine and Portuguese superstars have registered several records in this iconic and are undoubtedly two of the finest players to have ever played in the tie.

While Messi has the most number of goals in the history of this rivalry, he has also played the most number of El Clasico matches along with Sergio Ramos. Ronaldo, meanwhile holds the record of scoring in most consecutive El Clasicos.

Here, we take a look at the statistical comparison of Messi and Ronaldo in El Clasicos.

Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - Who has better stats in El Clasico?

What is Messi's record in El Clasicos after Ronaldo's Real Madrid exit?

Interestingly, Lionel Messi has not scored or assisted in an El Clasico match after Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018. It has been three years since Messi has scored or assisted in an El Clasico. He has played seven El Clasicos since Ronaldo's exit. 

The last time Messi scored in an El Clasico was on 6 May, 2018. Interestingly, Ronaldo also scored in the game which finished 2-2.

Who are the top goalscorers in El Clasico's history?

Lionel Messi left Barcelona as the all-time top goalscorer in El Clasico's history with 26 goals in 45 matches. He is followed by Real Madrid stars Alfredo Di Stefano and Cristiano Ronaldo who have 18 goals to their names.

Which players have the most number of appearances in El Clasico?

Along with Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi left La Liga as the most-capped player in El Clasico's history with 45 games each under their belt. 

Who has scored the most number of consecutive goals in El Clasico?

Cristiano Ronaldo has the record scoring in six consecutive El Clasicos. His scoring run started in the quarterfinal first leg of the Copa del Rey during the 2011/12 season and ended in La Liga first-round tie during the 2012/13 season. In these six games, the Portuguese superstar scored seven goals.

One of the most glorious chapters in the history of FC Barcelona came to an end when Lionel Messi decided not to continue at the club beyond 2021.

A journey that started in 2000 as a teenager ended in 2021 as the Argentina attacker parted ways with the club after his contract ended and is now all set to join Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi is the most decorated football in the history of the Catalan club as he has won 35 titles during his stay. He is also the club's most-capped player of all time with 778 matches is their all-time highest goalscorer with 670 goals to his name.

The Argentine has scripted several records in the last 17 years wearing the Barcelona shirt but there are some records that he failed to break and is likely to never achieve them again.

Here, we take a look at the record which Messi could not achieve at FC Barcelona.

Which players have won the most trophies for a single club?

Lionel Messi won 35 trophies (domestic and European titles) as a Barcelona player and has the second most number of trophies playing for a single club after Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs who won 36 trophies with the Red Devils.

Players with most trophies for a single club

Which players have the most number of La Liga titles?

Lionel Messi won 10 La Liga titles in his 17-year long career with Barcelona. He is the joint-second most successful player in the history of the league with former Real Madrid player Pirri. Another Real Madrid legend Paco Gento is the most successful player in La Liga's history with 12 titles to his name.

Players with most La Liga titles

Who are the most-capped Barcelona players in UEFA Champions League?

Messi left Barcelona as their second most capped (149) player in UEFA Champions League. The Argentine is just two matches short of his former teammate Xavi Hernandes who played 151 Champions League matches as a Barcelona player.

Top five most-capped Barcelona players in Champions League

Who are the top goalscorers in Copa Del Rey's history?

Lionel Messi is the fourth-highest goalscorer in the history of Copa del Rey with 56, a tournament he has won seven times with Barcelona in his career. Former Spanish international striker Telmo Zarra is the all-time highest goalscorer (81) of the competition.

Messi also remained the second-highest goalscorer for Barcelona in Copa del Rey. Josep Samitier scored 65 goals while playing for the Catalan giants.

Top five goalscorers in Copa del Rey's history

Christian Pulisic says he often felt he was too tough to ask for help, as the Chelsea star believes it is vital for people to understand the importance of speaking to professionals about mental health.

Pulisic recently opened up about his own struggles with mental health and how speaking to a therapist has helped him throughout his time at Chelsea.

He said that, at one point, he felt that talking to a professional was a sign of weakness, with the U.S. men's national team (USMNT) star saying that he now understands it's a sign of self-awareness and strength.

Pulisic opens up

"It took me a while to realise that to speak up feels strong," Pulisic told the Daily Mail. "I thought that I was too tough to need help. When it’s all on you, it can really feel like a lot. Opening up, it’s a hard thing for a lot of people, as it was for me. I reached out to a therapist and that’s not something that anyone should ever be ashamed of.

"It was kind of building up, as it was for a lot of people. Not just living alone but everything being closed up. Covid times brought a lot of changes and things were happening in my life. I was lucky that people at Chelsea and the national team steered me in the right direction."

His rekindled love for chess

One positive thing lockdown brought to Pulsiic was chess, as he rekindled his love for the game.

Pulisic says he grew up playing the game was his grandfather, who taught him an appreciation of strategy that has now helped him bond with his Chelsea teammates.

"Chess is a recent passion that I rekindled during all the time indoors in lockdown," Pulisic said. ‘I’d say N’Golo [Kante] and I are the top two. We always have good battles. He was much stronger than me when I started, always the No. 1, but I made it my goal to beat him so I had to work hard.

"I used to see him playing Olivier Giroud on the plane and we’d talk about it. It’s an incredible game that can help you with a lot of things like problem-solving or seeing different patterns. I’m not saying it directly correlates to me being a better footballer but it’s certainly better than staring at a screen, gaming."

Pulisic's grandfather Mate passed away in December in what was a dark moment for Pulisic.

The winger, whose middle name is Mate in honor of his late grandfather, recently got a special tattoo of a queen chess piece with his grandfather's name to commemorate the man that helped him fall in love with the game.

"I had it done after the Champions League final," he said. "There’s no great significance to the queen, though it’s a cool piece - versatile, powerful and can move anywhere.

"It was my grandpa who taught me how to play when I was younger. I was nowhere near his level and I wish we’d played more but I’m glad we shared that. It’s a memory I hold close to my heart. That’s why the tattoo is so special to me."

Further reading

Xavi has revealed he is "so sad" for his former team-mate Lionel Messi, who was forced to leave Barcelona despite his stated desire to stay with the club.

Messi's move to PSG was confirmed on Tuesday, just days after a tearful press conference during which he said farewell to Barcelona after 21 years.

The 34-year-old said he and Barca did everything they could to sign a new contract, but the deal was made impossible by what the club called "financial and structural obstacles."

What was said?

"I’m just so sad for Leo," Xavi said in an interview with The Times. "It’s a pity to see he and the club couldn’t find a solution. I know that Leo wanted to stay, but in the end it could not be sorted.

"The only thing I can say now is that I will miss him a lot. It’s even hard for me to picture Messi with a shirt other than Barca’s. It’s sad for Leo, especially for how I saw him emotionally at the Camp Nou the other day, but for FC Barcelona as well."

Xavi and Messi's trophy-filled time at Camp Nou

Xavi became a Barcelona legend during his Camp Nou career, forming a vital part of the club during one of its most successful eras.

During Xavi and Messi's time as team-mates, Barca won seven Liga titles and four Champions Leagues before Xavi departed after the 2014-15 season.

A new chapter for Messi

Messi saw his Barca contract expire after last season and appeared set to sign a new deal at Camp Nou this summer, but due to La Liga salary restrictions the club was unable to sign Messi and was forced to watch him depart for Paris.

At PSG, Messi will be reunited with former Barca team-mate Neymar and link up with superstar Kylian Mbappe in what will be an extremely formidable forward line.

Further reading

Manchester City are set to try to tie down a number of first-team players to new contracts after agreeing an extended deal for John Stones.

After his impressive form last season, the England defender signed a contract extension that will keep him with the Premier League champions until 2026.

Now City are set to offer new deals for a number of players in the first-team squad including midfielder Phil Foden, goalkeeper Ederson and forward Raheem Sterling.

Long-term deals

Foden, who came through the club’s academy, signed a six-year deal in 2018 that keeps him at the club until 2024.

Since then, the 21-year-old has established himself in Pep Guardiola’s squad and has broken into the England team, winning nine caps.

A new deal would be reward for his outstanding progress and reflect his status as a key player for the club’s future alongside British transfer record signing Jack Grealish.

Brazil international Ederson signed a massive seven-year contract in 2025 but Guardiola views him as his perfect number one and, at 27, he still has a big future ahead.

Sterling talks

City are also set to hold fresh talks with Sterling with the England star heading into the final two years of his current deal.

The 26-year-old, who returned to training on Monday after starring at Euro 2020, is understood to have put together a team to handle negotiations.

Sterling found himself out of the side towards the end of last season, but was recalled for the Champions League final against Chelsea and was the standout performer in England’s run to the European Championship final.

Deals running down

The club are keen to avoid a situation where players’ contract run too late after having to accept a reduced fee from Bayern Munich for winger Leroy Sane as he entered the final 12 months of his contract.

Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus and Ilkay Gundogan also have just two years remaining on their current deals. City are also keen to reward promising academy stars with improved deals, with highly-rated midfielder Cole Palmer signing a five-year contract in June 2021.

Further reading:

£100m Grealish must lead Man City’s title defence

Kane available to face Man City, claims Spurs boss Nuno

Grealish on leaving Villa: I felt the same as Messi