Thursday 27 August 2020 15:07, UK
Back-page headlines and transfer rumours from Thursday's national newspapers...
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Lionel Messi could cost Manchester City half a billion pounds if they go ahead with what would be the biggest signing in Premier League history before the start of the season.
LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Arsenal youngster Sam Greenwood is expected to join Leeds United on Thursday.
West Ham have agreed to subsidise the wages of flop Roberto with the goalkeeper set to join Spanish side Real Valladolid.
Jack Wilshere is open to a move to Major League Soccer if he leaves West Ham this summer.
THE SUN
Manchester City will go all out to sign Lionel Messi - as long as he is committed to joining them.
Chelsea stars Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Christian Pulisic, are in quarantine following government guidelines after returning from their summer holidays.
Jose Mourinho says he is now learning an incredible seventh language, Korean, with a view to communicating with Heung-Min Son in his native language.
Brighton look set to win their fight to keep defender Ben White at the club.
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire may have to wait three years for his retrial to be heard in a Greek court following his arrest last week.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka could miss the start of Manchester United's pre-season after ignoring club advice and flying to Dubai.
THE GUARDIAN
Roberto's disappointing spell at West Ham is set to end after Real Valladolid reached an agreement to sign the goalkeeper for an undisclosed fee.
THE TIMES
The former administrators of Rangers are in line for big compensation payments after the Crown Office admitted that it had brought a flawed case against them.
Manchester City have been working for more than a week to try to pull off the biggest transfer coup that English football has ever seen by signing Lionel Messi, according to sources.
Harry Maguire may yet be called up to the England squad, for the three international matches in October, with sources insisting that Gareth Southgate has not closed the door on the Manchester United captain.
DAILY MAIL
The Premier League has opened talks with the EFL about introducing a new regulation to prevent clubs from selling their stadiums and leasing them back to inject money into the business.
Manchester United remain in contact with Aston Villa over £75m-rated Jack Grealish, but they are not pursuing a move for Monaco's £21m teenage star Benoit Badiashile.
Manchester City emerged as front-runners to sign Lionel Messi on Wednesday and are cautiously confident they can do so without becoming embroiled in the player's bitter contract dispute with Barcelona.
AC Milan are showing an interest in Bournemouth striker Josh King, who saw a move to Manchester United fall through in January.
Andy Carroll is Steve Bruce's only available striker with the Newcastle boss braced for bad news on an injury to Dwight Gayle.
DAILY MIRROR
Gareth Southgate will leave the door open for Harry Maguire to get an England recall.
DAILY RECORD
Alfredo Morelos will be back and available for selection for Rangers' trip to Hamilton - as he waits for Lille to return to the table.
Olivier Ntcham, Kristoffer Ajer, Odsonne Edouard, Ryan Christie and Leigh Griffiths are five Celtic players on alert after Neil Lennon's rant at wantaway stars following their Champions League exit to Ferencvaros.
