Lionel Messi ‘bidding’ war, Zlatan Ibrahimovic ‘leaves’ AC Milan, Mac Allister to get Liverpool move

Caicedo blow

Chelsea hold a huge advantage over other rivals Arsenal in the transfer chase for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, according to reports.

The Guardian states that the Blues could hold a huge trump card with regards to negotiating a deal and it involves defender Levi Colwill.

The Ecuadorian has helped the Seagulls secure Europa League football this season with a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League.

Real Madrid’s first signing

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Rayo Vallecano full-back Fran Garcia is the club’s first signing.

The 23-year-old came through the ranks at Madrid, before emerging at Rayo for the past three seasons.

He has played 121 times for the club and been one of the stars of LaLiga.

Ugarte not a Barça priority

Chelsea target Manuel Ugarte is not a priority signing for Barcelona, according to reports.

Sport claim the Sporting Lisbon midfielder is on the Catalans radar, but they have other targets they will move for first.

That leaves the Blues and PSG, his other two suitors, as the potential destinations for the Uruguayan midfielder.

Barca eye triple Prem swoop

Barcelona are planning on raiding Man City for three of their title-winning stars.

Xavi would like to add out of contract Ilkay Gundogan, Joao Cancelo, and Bernardo Silva to his squad, according to an interview he gave to Mundo Deportivo.

City would loathe to lose three of their first team stars to the Catalans.

Haaland blocked from trademarking name

Erling Haaland has sensationally been BLOCKED from trademarking his own name.

The Manchester City star has helped fire the club to within touching distance of a historic Treble with 52 goals in 51 games.

And such is the frequency of his celebration and name he has tried to trademark them.

As reported by Norwegian outlet VG, Haaland submitted three applications to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office through law firm Schjødt.

The first was a trademark on his signature. The second to trademark his lotus celebration. And the third to trademark “Erling Haaland”.

The first two of these applications were successful and approved without issue according to Knut Andreas Bostad, the Head of Section in the Design and Trademark Department in the NIPO.

Consequently, the 22-year-old now has exclusive rights to them in Norway and can now apply for an international trademark.

However, the use of his name was rejected due to a previous application submitted last year, owned by a 29-year-old man from Oslo.

Havertz a target

Kai Havertz is a target for Real Madrid, according to reports.

Los Blancos transfer chiefs have drawn up a list of replacements for the departing Karim Benzema in a transfer meeting this week.

The German is on that list, but no transfer fee has been mooted at this stage.

Nor has a formal approach been made.