Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news in the Premier League on Wednesday, November 4.
Wednesday morning's Premier League transfer talk news roundup:
Manchester City to offer Lionel Messi pre-contract agreement in January?
© Reuters
Manchester City will reportedly open talks with Lionel Messi in January as the Barcelona superstar continues to stall over extending his stay at Camp Nou.
The Citizens were strongly linked with the Argentina international in the summer after he informed Barca, the club he has represented since the age of 13, of his desire to move on.
Messi remained in Catalonia after Barcelona contested the validity of a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for free at the end of the elongated 2019-20 campaign.
However, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner will be out of contract in eight months' time as things stand, having yet to agree fresh terms with the La Liga giants.
According to The Telegraph, City have been monitoring the situation and are ready to make their first move in January when Messi is freely allowed to talk to other clubs.
The report indicates that Pep Guardiola's men will attempt to get the Argentina international to pen a pre-contract agreement ahead of making a high-profile switch next summer.
Ian Wright urges Arsenal to revive Houssem Aouar pursuit
© Reuters
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has urged the Gunners not to throw in the towel in their pursuit of Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar.
The 22-year-old was linked with a move to the Emirates all throughout the summer, but Arsenal and Lyon could not come to an agreement over a fee and Aouar ultimately stayed put at the Groupama Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's men instead opted to sign Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid, while Mohamed Elneny is enjoying more first-team action following his loan spell with Besiktas, but Wright still believes that Arsenal could use a creative midfielder in the form of Aouar.
Speaking to Premier League Productions, Wright said: "It is [important] because it's something that's continually labelled towards Arsenal, that they can't beat the big-six teams. I think that was something that was a little while back now, not since [Arteta's] been there.
"I think the mentality has changed, the culture in what he's doing has changed, the intensity and the way he wants to play. It's all changed, it's a new Arsenal in what they're trying to do going forward.
"If he can continue to improve, like players improve with his coaching, and then he's then able to add to that with Aouar, who they're trying to get in the midfield alongside Partey, then you've got someone who can create for the forwards.
"So it's all looking good and winning games like this will only stand you in good stead and give confidence to the team."
Partey and Elneny were heavily praised for their performances in the heart of the Arsenal midfield against Manchester United, with both players contributing to a 1-0 Gunners win as they ended a 14-year run without a top-flight victory at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, Aouar has begun the 2020-21 campaign at Lyon with two goals and one assist from seven Ligue 1 appearances for Les Gones, where he is under contract until 2023.
More transfer news from Premier League:
Report: Manchester United join race for Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze
Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze is reportedly on the radar of numerous Premier League clubs, with Manchester United among those keeping tabs. Read more.
Barcelona 'highly unlikely to sign Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia in January'
A report claims that Barcelona are highly unlikely to move for Memphis Depay or Eric Garcia in January as focus is instead on the upcoming presidential election. Read more.
Red Bull Salzburg chief expects Erling Braut Haaland to join Liverpool
Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund predicts that prolific Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland will join Liverpool in the future. Read more.
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham opens up on Manchester United snub
Jude Bellingham reveals that his decision to join Borussia Dortmund ahead of Manchester United was down to his desire to play regular first-team football. Read more.
Thiago Alcantara's father confirms Liverpool beat PSG to midfielder
The father of Thiago Alcantara confirms that PSG failed with a late attempt to hijack Liverpool's move for the Spanish playmaker, eventually signing his brother Rafinha. Read more.
Report: AC Milan to battle Arsenal for Red Bull Salzburg star Dominik Szoboszlai
A report claims that AC Milan will rival Arsenal for the signing of Red Bull Salzburg's Dominik Szoboszlai. Read more.
Manchester City 'to make Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne top earners in Premier League'
Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne have been offered £400,000-a-week contracts to stay on at Manchester City, according to a report. Read more.
Tottenham Hotspur owner gives green light to lucrative new Son Heung-min deal?
Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis reportedly gives the green light for Son Heung-min to be offered a new £200k-a-week deal in North London. Read more.
Juventus 'leading race for Chelsea outcast Emerson Palmieri'
Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmieri is high on Juventus's list of January transfer targets, according to a report. Read more.
Pedro Neto signs new five-year Wolves contract
The 20-year-old Portugal Under-21 international has scored six goals in 52 appearances. Read more.
West Ham United closing in on young Danish centre-back Frederik Alves Ibsen?
A report claims that the representatives of Silkeborg defender Frederik Alves Ibsen are in London to finalise terms with West Ham United over a transfer. Read more.
