Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Barca held Haaland talks in Monaco

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has suggested that he will step down from running the club's day-to-day operations in a shock statement released on February 26.The Russian national has been at the helm at Stamford Bridge for almost 20 years.And while he did not say he was leaving the Blues, Abramovich appears to be preparing for a less hands-on role at the club.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/roman-abramovich-makes-sensational-chelsea-statement-as-he/blte2990a70ca68e2f6" target="_blank">Read more here!</a>

Abramovich hands Chelsea 'stewardship' to trustees in shock statement

Bayern Munich are losing the race to sign Andreas Christensen from Chelsea this summer.<a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20220226/1001756547/barca-delante-bayern-atar-christensen.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo</a> reports the chances of him joining Barcelona are going up as he looks set to depart Stamford Bridge on a free transfer.

Barca lead Bayern in race to sign Christensen from Chelsea (Mundo Deportivo)

Barcelona held secret talks with agent Mino Raiola to discuss transfers for Erling Haaland and Noussair Mazraoui.<a href="https://www.telegraaf.nl/sport/933056891/fc-barcelona-praat-in-geheim-over-haaland-en-mazraoui" target="_blank">De Telegraaf</a> reports Joan Laporta and Jordi Cruyff were in Monaco to meet with Raiola as they look to seal deals for the Borussia Dortmund striker and the Ajax full-back.

Barca held Haaland & Mazraoui talks with Raiola in Monaco (Telegraaf)

Paris Saint-Germain could make a move for Chelsea star N'Golo Kante in the summer, per <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/02/25/ngolo-kante-can-complete-football-weekend-do-chelsea-break/" target="_blank">The Telegraph</a>.The midfielder, who joined the Blues from Leicester City where he helped the Foxes to the Premier League, can complete a clean sweep of major domestic and European club honours if he wins the Carabao Cup this weekend.It is little wonder then that the Ligue 1 heavyweights want to bring him home, with the player a national hero after his part in France's triumph at the 2018 World Cup.

PSG to move for Kante (The Telegraph)

Could the Chelsea star return to his home country?

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Update Jules <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kound%C3%A9?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Koundé</a>: His management ist still in talks with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFC</a>. But with Real Madrid and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Barcelona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Barcelona</a> as well! It is said that all teams have chances to get him in summer. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBayern?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBayern</a> was no hot topic so far. <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SkySportNews</a> 🇫🇷— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Plettigoal/status/1497690745318350856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Kounde still in Chelsea talks

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Keep an eye on Lewandowski situation. 🔴 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bayern?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bayern</a> Bayern director Salihamidžić today: “We’re determined to keep Robert”. Lewandowski after the game: “I'm hearing that for the first time…”, per <a href="https://twitter.com/altobelli13?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@altobelli13</a>. Contract extension or he could leave. 📲 More: <a href="https://t.co/qrUgAb3rnP">https://t.co/qrUgAb3rnP</a> <a href="https://t.co/gonLryMaQv">pic.twitter.com/gonLryMaQv</a>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1497668969670578184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Bayern 'determined' to keep Lewandowski

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Growing expectation that Marcelo Bielsa will be leaving position as Leeds United head coach. Final discussion yet to take place but his exit now increasingly likely. Jesse Marsch firm favourite to be named as successor. W/ <a href="https://twitter.com/PhilHay_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PhilHay_</a> @TheAthleticUK <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LUFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/9ewRbHidyL">https://t.co/9ewRbHidyL</a>— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1497637727298326536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Bielsa close to Leeds exit

Philippe Coutinho says he does not regret his decision to leave Liverpool to join Barcelona.The Brazil international spent almost five years with the Anfield side before agreeing to join Barcelona in January 2018 in a deal worth a total £142 million.Despite a bright start to life at Camp Nou, he struggled to maintain his place in the starting XI and was soon loaned out to Bayern Munich.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/coutinho-doesn-t-regret-disastrous-barcelona-move/blt3e7b94cc38cba853" target="_blank">Read more here!</a>

Coutinho doesn't regret disastrous Barcelona move

Christian Eriksen has made his Brentford debut in the Premier League against Newcastle United, with the Denmark international coming off the bench for the Bees for his first match since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/oh-sht-im-only-29-years-old-eriksens-first-words-after/wh4ytbd6x7wc1qza9kse2jruw">suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 eight months ago</a>.The Denmark international had been selected among the substitutes for Thomas Frank's side ahead of their clash with the Magpies, with the playmaker looking for his first competitive minutes following a remarkable recovery from a heart attack in June 2021.Eriksen, who signed for the Bees in the January transfer window, was fitted with a heart implant following his collapse in Copenhagen, and was released by former club Inter due to rules for such devices in Serie A.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/christian-eriksen-named-on-brentford-bench-vs-newcastle-as/bltf9aabb9e51100400" target="_blank">Read more here!</a>

Eriksen given huge ovation as he completes remarkable return to football

The Montevideo giants, who face off against arch-rivals Nacional on Sunday, are celebrating after lifting the South American crown at under-age level.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/u20-libertadores-glory-penarol-investment-youth-paying-off/blta5fe6bbcf063c46b" target="_blank">Read more here!</a>

$50m in sales and U20 Libertadores glory: Penarol's investment in youth is paying off

Luiz Felipe has agreed to join Real Betis from Lazio in a free transfer this summer.<a href="https://www.fichajes.net/noticias/cerrado-luiz-felipe-firmara-real-betis-2026-20220226.html" target="_blank">Fichajes</a> reports that the defender will sign a contract that will run until 2026.

Luiz Felipe agrees to leave Lazio for Real Betis

Gianluca Mancini has renewed his contract at Roma until 2026.But <a href="https://www.calciomercato.com/news/roma-mancini-rinnova-fino-al-2026-annuncio-e-ritocco-tutti-i-det-44097" target="_blank">Calciomercato</a> reports he is in talks to add a further year to that deal that would raise his salary to €3 million per season, plus bonuses.

Mancini extends Roma contract

The 2022 edition of the Under-20 Copa Libertadores ended with a final between two of South America's most exciting youth projects.One one side, hosts and holders Independiente del Valle were looking to consolidate a brilliant run at junior level, which has seen the Ecuadorians not only reach three consecutive Libertadores finals, but also bring through an enviable number of talents who have since moved on – including current internationals such as Brighton's Moises Caicedo, Valladolid striker Gonzalo Plata and MLS duo Jhegson Mendez and Alan Franco.On the other, one of the aristocrats of the South American game, a five-time continental champion, newly immersed in the recruitment and development of young prospects in their bid to reclaim their place at the top table.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/u20-libertadores-glory-penarol-investment-youth-paying-off/blta5fe6bbcf063c46b" target="_blank">To continue reading at GOAL, head here!</a>

$50m in sales! Penarol's investment in youth is paying off

It’s fair to say that Japanese footballers have been making a big impression in Europe of late.From Takumi Minamino to Takehiro Tomiyasu, the veteran Maya Yoshida at Sampdoria and the impressive Takefuso Kubo at Mallorca, to the exciting quartet of new arrivals at Celtic, the J-League is increasingly well-represented among the continent’s top leagues.How long, one wonders, before the name Yuito Suzuki is added to the list?<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/minamino-yuito-suzuki-next-japanese-star-europe/bltbae9651349479265" target="_blank">Read the rest of this story on GOAL here!</a>

Minamino 2.0? Suzuki could be Japan's next European star

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨West Ham, Brighton and Atalanta are interested in Gabriel Barbarosa (Gabigol). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CRF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CRF</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VamosFlamengo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VamosFlamengo</a> <a href="https://t.co/FVkQS5GZG3">pic.twitter.com/FVkQS5GZG3</a>— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ekremkonur/status/1497560270109134851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Trio eye up Gabigol

At half time in the 2003 international friendly at Upton Park between England and Australia, the entire starting XI of the Three Lions team was substituted by manager Sven-Goran Eriksen, with 11 fresh players taking to the field for the second half.Among them, in the 4-4-2 formation, were two debutant strikers, both of whom had both grown up in Croxteth, Liverpool, and progressed through Everton's academy before moving on to Premier League giants.One was Arsenal forward Francis Jeffers. The other, five years his junior, was a 17-year-old prospect by the name of Wayne Rooney.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/regrets-why-everton-teen-sensation-jeffers-flopped-arsenal/blt0b82b3f88dcdf0f9" target="_blank">Read the rest of the story at GOAL here!</a>

Why Everton teen sensation Jeffers 'regrets' Arsenal move

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">👀 There are three teams interested in 🇫🇷André-Pierre Gignac from Brazil. 📝The contract of the French football player with Tigres expires in 2024.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TigreDelPartido?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TigreDelPartido</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SiempreContigo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SiempreContigo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EstoEsTigres?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EstoEsTigres</a> <a href="https://t.co/1vKxssUdXE">pic.twitter.com/1vKxssUdXE</a>— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ekremkonur/status/1497501197292421123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 26, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Tigres' Gignac attracting interest

Watford striker Ashley Fletcher has agreed a loan move to New York Red Bulls, per <a href="https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-ashley-fletcher-agrees-to-join-new-york-red-bulls-from-watford-on-four-year-deal/" target="_blank">Football Insider</a>.The MLS club are set to sign the forward on an initial short-term deal, with a four-year contract to follow.The attacker has played less than 30 minutes of top-flight football this term.

NY Red Bulls move for Fletcher

West Ham were in advanced talks to sign Luis Diaz from Porto before Liverpool swooped in, says David Moyes.The winger moved to Anfield in the January transfer window in a deal worth £50 million (€60m/$67m).Moyes said he held talks with the 25-year-old but his side were beaten to the signing by the Reds.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/west-ham-signing-luis-diaz-liverpool-moyes/blt79433aa8511f7caa" target="_blank">Read the full story on GOAL</a>

West Ham were close to signing Luis Diaz before Liverpool - Moyes

Domenico Criscito will join Toronto from Genoa, according to <a href="https://www.calciomercato.com/news/toronto-non-si-ferma-dopo-insigne-e-fatta-per-criscito-puo-arriv-82450" target="_blank">Calciomercato</a>.The Genoa captain has reached an agreement with the MLS side and will make the switch immediately.

Criscito leaves Genoa for Toronto

Newcastle director Amanda Staveley says Lille defender Sven Botman and Manchester United's Jesse Lingard "desperately" wanted to join the club in January.The pair were among the Magpies' top transfer targets in the January window, but both ended up staying at their respective clubs.<a href="https://www.goal.com/en/news/botman-lingard-newcastle-staveley/bltfb0ad84497fe2f3a" target="_blank">Read what Staveley had to say on GOAL</a>

Botman and Lingard 'desperately wanted' to join Newcastle

Sergio Busquets is open to seeing out the final years of his playing career at Inter Miami.His former Barcelona team-mates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have been linked with the MLS side as they near the end of their playing days and <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20220226/1001756424/busquets-meditaria-retirarse-miami-messi-suarez.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo </a>says the midfielder would consider joining them.

Busquets open to retiring at Inter Miami with Suarez & Messi

Real Madrid will bring Fran Garcia back to the club from Rayo Vallecano, according to <a href="https://as.com/futbol/2022/02/25/primera/1645826341_749357.html?m1=cG9ydGFkYV9wb3J0YWRh&amp;m2=QUNUVUFMSURBRA%3D%3D&amp;m3=NA%3D%3D&amp;m4=bm9ybWFs&amp;m5=MjE%3D" target="_blank">AS</a>.The left-back joined Rayo last summer but Madrid still own 50 percent of his rights.The 22-year-old is seen as an affordable option to replace Marcelo as they would only need to pay €5 million to sign him.

Real Madrid eye Garcia as Marcelo replacement

Juventus are looking to sign Renan Lodi from Atletico Madrid, according to <a href="https://www.calciomercato.com/news/juve-storia-ai-titoli-di-coda-con-alex-sandro-renan-lodi-e-un-id-29871" target="_blank">Calciomercato</a>.The Serie A side need a replacement for Alex Sandro, who could be sold in the summer ahead of his contract expiring next year.Lodi, 23, has fallen down the pecking order in Diego Simeone's team, but the Bianconeri believe he would add to their squad.

Juventus plot Lodi bid 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Galatasaray are monitoring the situation of James Rodriguez. <a href="https://t.co/bzEZJB3qhq">https://t.co/bzEZJB3qhq</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZIOUqpZAxf">pic.twitter.com/ZIOUqpZAxf</a>— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ekremkonur/status/1497290685053124610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Rodriguez eyed by Galatasaray

Harry Kane has been Tottenham's main man for years now, but a lack of silverware with the north Londoners and a desire to begin a new chapter led Manchester City to come knocking for him last summer.Spurs rebuffed the Citizens' bids, but is there a possibility that the England international will make a big-money move to the Etihad in the future?<a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/will-harry-kane-leave-tottenham-for-man-city-examining/blt7388ef715b4c6440" target="_blank">Read more on GOAL here!</a>

Will Kane leave Spurs for Man City?

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Paris Saint-Germain are really convinced to sign Nuno Mendes on a permanent deal from Sporting. Work in progress on €40m buy option. ⏳🇵🇹 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSG?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSG</a> Pochettino says: “Nuno Mendes progress is huge. If he continues with this progress, he can go very far. He’s gonna be one of the best”. <a href="https://t.co/fyMfP7D33s">pic.twitter.com/fyMfP7D33s</a>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1497262004473667588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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PSG set to make Mendes deal permanent 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">New York City Football Club Acquires $50K in General Allocation from FC Cincinnati in Exchange for Homegrown Priority of Harrison Robledo 📰⬇️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYCFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYCFC</a>— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) <a href="https://twitter.com/newyorkcityfc/status/1497332735421169665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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NYCFC land Robledo from Cincinnati 

Chiefs warned about Kaze & Ben Youssef 'problems' as Vilakazi will 'learn the hard way'

Pirates-linked right-back opens up on competing with Mudau after Monyane snub ahead of AFCON 

Sundowns invited for tournament outside SA as PSL takes break

Worried Broos tells South Africans to forget finishing in 'first or second place' in World Cup Group A

Tinkler criticises Broos' Bafana AFCON squad by insisting 'I don’t think we have the best squad selected'

Mbokazi's agent reveals 'a slap in the face' offer from Europe

'Pirates teaching Chiefs it's possible to win trophies in 3 months & not 10 years'

World Cup: Bafana vs Mexico again! South Africa land a favourable group

Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Barca held Haaland talks in Monaco | Goal.com South Africa

GOAL takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and around the world