Manchester City and Liverpool have been linked with Koulibaly, the 29-year-old Senegalese international, but is expected to cost around £70m.
BARCA PRESIDENT SPEAKS ON MESSI
There's been some rumours Lionel Messi could be on his way out of Barcelona this summer amid reportedly holding off agreeing terms on a new contract at the Nou Camp.
However, club president Josep Bartomeu has been speaking tonight to contradict the claims, and according to AFP said: "There's no doubt at all that Leo Messi will stay at Barca."
'MORELOS MUST KEEP FOCUSED'
Rangers assistant manager Gary McAllister has stated that Alfredo Morelos needs to stay focused on getting fit and impressing Steven Gerrard amid continued speculation over his future.
He said: “As far as bids, I’m unaware. Bids concerning any footballer, at any football club, every player has a price. Until moments where a bid lands that the club feels it is a number that suits, we just keep moving on.
“Alfredo has got to keep focused and keep fit for those early games in the season.
“He is part of our squad and he’s no different to any other player. He’s under contract here and at this moment of time he is the exact same as everybody else.
“We are trying to get people up to match speed, up to the speed where we can start the season on August 1. That’s it, he is no different
“He has come back with the same attitude of everyone, he is trying to show the manager he is part of the starting XI, like everybody should be. We have quite a big squad and even in this early stage, you have got to be catching the eye of the manager.”
XAVI SIGNS NEW DEAL AT AL-SADD
Barcelona fans may have to wait another year for Xavi Hernandez to take over at the Nou Camp after he put pen to paper on a new contract at Al-Sadd.
The former Spain international took charge at Al-Sadd in 2019 in what is his first managerial role.
The 40-year-old, who won the Qatari Super Cup and the Qatar Cup, has signed a new deal with the Qatari side for the 2020/21 campaign
PSG KEEPING TABS ON BELLERIN'
PSG are keeping tabs on Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin who could be forced out of the Emirates Stadium this summer, according to the Daily Express.
The 25-year-old has spent nine years at Arsenal, but has suffered big injury problems over the last 18 months.
Juventus and Bayern Munich are also reportedly interested.
VALENCIA WANT MINA'
Everton's Colombian centre-half Yerry Mina is a shock target for Spanish side Valencia, according to The Sun.
A bid of £15m could secure the 25-year-old, with Everton linked with former defender John Stones of Man City yesterday, also in The Sun.
Everton signed Mina from Barcelona in 2018.
VAN DIJK: I CHOSE LIVERPOOL OVER CITY AND CHELSEA
Virgil van Dijk has revealed how Jurgen Klopp convinced him to snub Manchester City and Chelsea to join Liverpool.
“I had the chance to go to Chelsea and Man City. When you compare the clubs, you look at the history, the town, the current squad, their plans for the near future.
“But the most important thing you look at is the manager – and Jurgen Klopp is an important reason why I chose for Liverpool."
LEEDS TO TRY FOR EDOUARD?
Leeds are plotting an ambitious move for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard if they win promotion to the Premier League, according to the Sunday Mirror.
Edouard has scored 28 goals in 45 appearances for Celtic this season, and Leeds will reportedly test the waters if they achieve promotion.
GODFREY TARGETTED BY GERMAN CLUBS?
Norwich centre-back Ben Godfrey is a summer target for Bundesliga duo Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, according to The Sun.
The England Under-21 player is valued at £25m, and has also reportedly attracted interested from Tottenham.
'WATFORD OFFEREED WU LEI'
Watford have been offered the chance to sign Espanyol forward Wu Lei, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The China international, 28, has been linked with Wolves recently, and has scored only seven La Liga goals in 39 appearances for the Spanish club.
EVERTON TO BATTLE SPURS FOR HOJBJERG?
Everton are ready to firm up interest in Southampton midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The Toffees have competition from Tottenham for the Saints man, who is valued at £35m.
THREE OUT, PARTEY IN AT ARSENAL?
Arsenal are likely to sell Matteo Guendouzi, Alexandre Lacazette or Lucas Torreira to raise the funds required to sign Atletico Madrid's defensive midfielder Thomas Partey, according to the Mail on Sunday.
The Mail say the 27-year-old Ghanaian is keen to join Arsenal, but the Gunners may take a financial hit in the summer in order to secure him.
The club desperately want to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however, and are in talks to extend his deal beyond 2021.
PSG, PL CLUBS IN FOR SAINT-MAXIMIN?
Paris Saint-Germain have joined the growing list of clubs to show an interest in Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin, according to the Daily Mail.
The 23-year-old has been on fine form for Steve Bruce's side, elevating them to 13th in the Premier League, following a £16.5m move from Nice last summer.
The Mail report all of England's current top six sides are interested in the Frenchman
UNITED AGREE SANCHO WAGE TERMS?
Jadon Sancho has agreed a £140,000-a-week deal with Manchester United as he edges closer to a move from Borussia Dortmund.
United don’t want to pay Dortmund’s valuation – thought to be £120m – but are trying to structure a deal that would satisfy all parties.
JONES SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM DEAL AT LIVERPOOL
Liverpool youngster Curtis Jones has signed a new "long-term contract," the Premier League champions have announced.
The 19-year-old midfielder, regarded as one of the club's best academy prospects, has made eight first-team appearances this season, scoring two goals.
“It's my boyhood club and it's the whole of my family's club as well, so for me it's huge," Jones told the club's website.
“I think the environment and stuff is all positive and keeps me as positive as I can. Of course, we're working with a great manager and around the best team in the world, so for me it was easy and [I'm] extremely proud.”
FORMER BARCA STARLET TO BE UNLEASHED ON LIVERPOOL?
Former Barcelona academy star Louie Barry could be unleashed as Aston Villa's secret weapon against Premier League champions Liverpool, according to the Daily Mail.
Barry was described by Villa chief executive Christian Purslow as 'the best 16-year-old in England' when he signed him in January.
The 17-year-old turned down Paris Saint-Germain to join Barcelona last year but returned to England and into Villa's open arms for £4m after failing to settle.
ROBINS AXE JOHNSON
More on that big news coming out of the Championship this evening - head coach Lee Johnson has been sacked by Bristol City after the Robins slipped to a late defeat against Cardiff, extending their winless run to nine games.
Assistant head coach Dean Holden will take over in a caretaker capacity as the club look to appoint a successor.
Chief Executive Mark Ashton said in a statement: “We recognise the huge amount of work that Lee has put in over the last four-and-a-half years to move this club forward and we thank him for all his efforts. There have been some special moments over those years and Lee has played a significant part in them.
“However, success in football is ultimately judged by results and league position and the Board believes that a change of management is needed now for Bristol City.”
ANCELOTTI WARNS OFF DIGNE SUITORS
Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti says there is "no way" left-back Lucas Digne will be allowed to leave the club this summer amid claims of interest from Premier League rivals.
The Frenchman is one of the Premier League’s outstanding performers, involved in the creation of both Everton's goals in the 2-1 win over Leicester last Wednesday.
“At this moment, there are a lot of rumours. Lucas Digne is an important player for us, so there is no way that he can leave,” said Ancelotti.
Everton have also been linked with Southampton midfielder Pierre Emile Hojbjerg but the Italian was non-committal.
“I know Hojbjerg, he’s a good player. He is playing for Southampton, so I don’t want to talk about another Premier League player that we are playing against soon,” added Ancelotti.
“I can give an opinion about him at the end of the season.”
SPURS REJECT NDOMBELE-RAMSEY SWAP DEAL
Tottenham have rejected a move by Juventus for midfielder Tanguy Ndombele in a swap deal that would have seen Aaron Ramsey go the other way, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Ramsey joined on a free transfer in a deal worth around £400,000 a week, but Juventus are open to selling the Welshman, having already signed Arthur Melo from Barcelona.
Ndombele arrived at Spurs in the summer from Lyon for a club-record £53.8m but has failed to make an impact and was criticised by Jose Mourinho earlier in the season for his display against Burnley.
LIFE IN THE TRANSFER MARKET AT BURNLEY
"Trust me, if you ring a League Two club for a player, you think they'll say: 'Ah, we want about £100k for him.' They don't. They say: 'We want £17m!' There's no rhyme or reason in the market now, you either pay it, or you don't."
Sean Dyche isn't shy in describing the difficulties he faces at Burnley. Quite publicly he insists their status in the Premier League is under threat if they don't stretch their budget, a budget Dyche himself has traversed expertly over nearly eight years at Turf Moor.
How chairman Mike Garlick reacts remains to be seen, and Dyche's future is similarly uncertain, but the Burnley boss has been crystal clear over recent weeks: the transfer market has changed, and the club need to catch up.
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