Man City & Barca hold Haaland talks - Friday's gossip

Manchester City and Barcelona have opened preliminary discussions regarding the future of Norway striker Erling Haaland, according to Spanish outlet Sport. The Catalan club are seeking a gentlemen’s agreement that would grant them first refusal should the 25-year-old ever be placed on the market, but the player’s representative, Rafaela Pimenta, has publicly downplayed the prospect of an imminent move during an appearance on Spanish television.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Manchester United’s recruitment network has been active on two fronts. West Ham’s 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes has been monitored closely, with Talksport reporting that the player will push for a summer exit if the Hammers drop into the Championship. United have also placed Newcastle’s Italy international Sandro Tonali on a midfield shortlist, the Sun claims.

Newcastle, meanwhile, continue to reshape their engine room. The I reports that Monaco’s 22-year-old Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara has moved up the club’s wanted list in recent months, while the Magpies remain in the market for another striker despite investing £124 million in the position last year. Cologne and Germany U21 winger Said El Mala, 19, is another name under consideration, according to Mail+. At the back, veteran full-back Kieran Trippier, 35, could yet be offered a new deal at St James’ Park, with Arsenal maintaining long-term interest in 23-year-old English defender Tino Livramento.

In Europe, Juventus are monitoring Robert Lewandowski’s situation at Barcelona, with the 37-year-old Poland striker’s contract expiring this summer (Tuttosport). Liverpool have dismissed speculation that Florian Wirtz, 22, could be sold to Real Madrid after a single season at Anfield (Teamtalk), while Inter Milan are open to offers for Italy duo Alessandro Bastoni, 26, and Nicolo Barella, 29 (Gazzetta dello Sport).

Atletico Madrid will listen to Premier League offers of £85 million for Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, 26, but have ruled out a sale to Barcelona (Sport). Off the pitch, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is being linked with the Germany managerial post after the World Cup (Bild), and Tottenham continue to weigh up interim options, with ex-Everton and Burnley manager Sean Dyche under consideration, though he would want assurances beyond the current campaign. Robbie Keane and Ryan Mason remain fallback candidates (Talksport).