Messi may now stay at Barca, Manchester United face Liverpool battle for Ryan Gravenberch

Ryan Gravenberch is attracting interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona and Juventus, while Barcelona's talisman Lionel Messi may remain at the club now Josep Maria Bartomeu has left and Burnley could be in line for a takeover.

Messi may now stay at Barca

The Daily Telegraph reports that Barcelona striker Lionel Messi may now be more likely to stay at the club. The claim comes the day after Josep Maria Bartomeu stepped down as president ahead of a vote of no confidence. Messi and Bartomeu were at loggerheads when the 33-year-old forward announced his intention to leave the club for nothing in the close season.

***: Messi clearly has a strong emotional bond with Barcelona and given his importance and significance to the club, he could probably strong arm another payrise despite the coronavirus pandemic. Whether he would want to do that given other clubs would probably give him a better chance of European success and even more money, is open to question.

Ryan Gravenberch the latest Ajax target

Ryan Gravenberch is on the shortlist to leave Ajax after a string of clubs noticed the 18-year-old midfielder, according to the Mirror. He has already drawn comparisons with Paul Pogba, and both Juventus and Barcelona are keen. There is also now interest from Manchester United and Liverpool and the Dutch side could choose to cash in.

***: At 18 he would have to be an exceptional talent for any club to be willing to buy him, given Ajax will only want to sell an exciting prospect if they are suitably compensated. He is, though, a Mino Raiola client so the chances of him going to United are diminished given the awkwardness with which he has handled Pogba’s presence at the club.

Burnley set for takeover

The Daily Mail reports that Burnley’s proposed US takeover has hit a snag. ALK capital had been linked with a £200m deal but that may now take a back seat to a deal proposed by Chris Farnell and Egyptian businessman Mohamed Elkashashy. Burnley’s biggest shareholder Mike Garlick may be prepared to do a deal given the impact of the coronavirus.

***: Burney have done brilliantly to get into the Premier League and establish themselves as regulars in the league. But more investment will be needed to ensure progress from their current position and perhaps the time is right for Garlick to sell some or most of the club and allow more investment and management to come from elsewhere.