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Update

Lionel Messi urged to return to Barcelona home by Xavi - Paper Talk

Plus: Todd Boehly to pay the price for summer Chelsea exodus; Steve Cooper fighting for future at Nottingham Forest; Everton face possible existential crisis if relegated from Premier League

Paper talk

All the top stories and transfer rumours from Saturday's newspapers...

DAILY MIRROR

Barcelona manager Xavi has urged Lionel Messi to "come home" after vice-president Rafa Yuste confirmed the club were in contact over a potentially stunning return this summer.

Barcelona will spend next season away from the Nou Camp after redevelopment plans were finalised.

PSG have now failed to get past the last 16 stage for the fifth time in seven years.
Image: Could Lionel Messi return to Barcelona this summer?

Pep Guardiola has told his Manchester City players not to take success for granted and warned them Liverpool's demise could just as easily happen to them.

Guardiola remains the Premier League's highest-earning head coach but the Manchester City chief continues to be eclipsed by Diego Simeone.

Erik ten Hag needs to get rid of 10 Manchester United stars this summer including Jadon Sancho, according to former player Paul Parker.

Also See:

Former Arsenal transfer guru Sven Mislintat is on the verge of a return to top level football with Dutch giants Ajax - after the collapse of their move for Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward.

THE SUN

Todd Boehly faces a multi-million pound 'divorce bill' this summer as he bids to offload a raft of Chelsea players.

Chelsea are reportedly set to make a daring bid for Barcelona star Alejandro Balde to replace Ben Chilwell for next season.

Chelsea star Kai Havertz has hinted at a move to Bayern Munich after revealing he would like to work with Thomas Tuchel again.

Mikel Arteta has said he is "hopeful" William Saliba will be back before the end of the season - but did not guarantee his return.

Jan Vertonghen believes putting former players in executive roles is the way forward for Premier League clubs like Spurs.

DAILY MAIL

Steve Cooper is under growing pressure as Nottingham Forest boss with forthcoming fixtures against Wolves and Leeds potentially decisive for his future.

Steve Cooper saw two defenders go off injured
Image: Steve Cooper is preparing Nottingham Forest for crucial games against relegation rivals

Daniel Levy has no intention of ever selling to the two Manchester clubs again with the Tottenham chairman still regretting allowing Kyle Walker to join City back in 2017.

Scott McTominay faces an uncertain future as he comes to a crossroads in his Manchester United career.

Chelsea are struggling to recruit the next generation of talent after £553m was lavished on first-team players by the new owners over the past nine months.

Sheffield United's squad are not due to receive any bonuses if they win the FA Cup this season because they failed to include domestic cups in the players' prize pot agreed with the club last summer.

Huddersfield Town's prospective owner Kevin Nagle has opened negotiations to buy control of the John Smith's Stadium, which is not included in his purchase of the club from Dean Hoyle.

The England Supporters Travel Club has asked UEFA to investigate the chaotic scenes faced by England fans at last week's Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy in Naples.

The SPFL and Rangers are heading for an explosive new legal row over a second sponsorship deal.

THE TIMES

Pep Guardiola will leave it up to Erling Haaland and Manchester City's doctors to decide whether it is worth risking the striker in today's crucial match against Liverpool.

UEFA's president Aleksandr Ceferin will be re-elected unopposed for a third term on Wednesday, but there is some uncertainty over whether he would be able to stand for another in 2027.

The Nigerian technology billionaire Dozy Mmobuosi has furthered his credentials to buy Sheffield United by publishing a full review of company finances, independently audited by Deloitte, that show consolidated revenues of $1.15bn (about £932m).

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Premier League clubs have discussed their fears that the new format for the FIFA Club World Cup, which expands to become a 32-team tournament in 2025, could become a "European Super League by the back door".

GUARDIAN

Everton could face a points deduction this season because of financial irregularities according to reports.
Image: Everton could face a points deduction this season because of financial irregularities according to reports.

Everton's ability to continue as a going concern would be plunged into doubt in the event of relegation from the Premier League, the club's latest set of accounts have revealed.

Graham Potter has suggested that Anthony Barry's move to Bayern Munich could be delayed until after a potential Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and the German champions.

THE ATHLETIC

Jeffrey Schlupp and Jordan Ayew have signed new contracts with Crystal Palace.

Aleksandar Mitrovic's disciplinary hearing will take place on Monday with the Fulham striker facing the possibility of an extended ban and, in turn, the Football Association is likely to come under pressure to explain why a string of similar incidents have gone unpunished over a 20-year period.

Unai Emery admits Aston Villa were never able to compete with Chelsea for the signing of Joao Felix in the last transfer window, but hopes to start closing the gap on the Premier League's big boys in the future.

DAILY EXPRESS

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have lost a staggering £3m in a year since taking over at Wrexham.

SCOTTISH SUN

Aberdeen defender Hayden Coulson is set to miss Saturday's trip to St Johnstone after being involved in a horror car smash.

Ange Postecoglou has accused rival bosses of deliberately devaluing Celtic's success.

DAILY RECORD

Keanu Baccus insists Graham Arnold's Tartan Socceroo recruitment drive is proof Scottish football is thriving.

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson wants to line up a summer raid for Morecambe defender Jacob Bedeau.

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