TRANSFER NEWS: Messi will leave Barca, Man Utd eye THREE defenders, Arsenal look at Pole

Posted Friday, November 28, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

LIONEL MESSI will eventually leave Barcelona, former Portugal midfielder Deco has claimed. Manchester United are monitoring three defenders ahead of the January transfer window while Arsenal are stepping up their efforts to sign Grzegorz Krychowiak.

The Gossip

Former Barcelona midfielder Deco believes Lionel Messi will eventually leave the Catalan club.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are in the race to sign the £200m superstar but a host of Premier League rivals are also monitoring the Argentine's situation.

After hinting at a future move for Messi, Deco said: "Maybe this season, within a year or within five years."

Louis van Gaal has compiled a three-man shortlist of January defensive targets.

The Red Devils boss has his eyes on Real Madrid's Raphael Varane, Barcelona's Gerard Pique and Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar.

United chiefs are willing to back the Dutch boss following the summer spending spree.

Another United transfer target Fabio Coentrao is desperate to leave Real Madrid.

According to reports in Spain, the left-back is disappointed that the Champions League holders are actively looking for replacements and his agent is touting him to Manchester United.

Coentrao, who joined Real for £28m in 2011, is out of contract in June 2018 and the Spanish club are thought to be keen on forcing through a deal while his value is at its peak.

Arsenal are stepping up their efforts to land Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak in January.

Gunners captain Mikel Arteta is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines prompting Arsene Wenger to firm up his interest in the Pole.

Sevilla are thought to be keen on hanging on to Krychowiak, but will find it hard to resist offers in the region of £20m.

TRANSFER NEWS: Messi will leave Barca, Man Utd eye THREE defenders, Arsenal look at Pole
GUNNERS KEEN: Arsenal are ramping up their efforts to land Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak