Latest transfer news and rumors: Saudi Pro League turned down Messi

The transfer window may be closed, but the rumor mill never stops. Check in every day for the latest transfer buzz around the soccer world.

Top story: Saudi Arabia snubs Messi

A senior sports official in Saudi Arabia claimed that Lionel Messi's team told him during the Club World Cup that the Argentine superstar wanted to move to the Middle East. Messi was supposedly eyeing a short-term switch during the MLS offseason to stay fresh for the 2026 World Cup.

Abdullah Hammad, president of the Saudi national sports academy in Riyadh, said he mentioned the offer to the government minister, but the Inter Miami attacker's interest was shut down. "He said that the Saudi league would not be a training camp," Hammad explained. (L'Equipe)

Other rumors

Oct. 30

Vini prioritizes PSG: Vinicius Junior would pick Paris Saint-Germain over clubs in the Premier League and Saudi Pro League. The Real Madrid winger could force a transfer next summer after falling out with Xabi Alonso. (Diario Sport)

Vic's valuation: Victor Osimhen is high on Barcelona's list of potential replacements for Robert Lewandowski. However, Galatasaray are expected to set a huge asking price, potentially making him just as difficult to sign as Manchester City's Erling Haaland. (Mundo Deportivo)

Blues yearn for Yildiz: Juventus have stepped up contract talks with Kenan Yildiz, but Chelsea are hoping to beat European rivals to his signature with a "very exciting proposal." (TEAMtalk)

Spying Sporting skipper: Incoming Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti is a big fan of Morten Hjulmand, so the club could attempt to sign him once again. A January deal is unrealistic, but Juve are keeping tabs on the Sporting CP midfielder. (Tuttosport)

Santi must deliver by Christmas: Santiago Gimenez needs to start scoring in the next two months or AC Milan will attempt to sell him in the January transfer window. The Rossoneri attempted to offload him in the summer. (La Gazzetta dello Sport)

Deal for Dane: Napoli are prepared to trigger the purchase option in Rasmus Hojlund's loan from Manchester United. They want to encourage the Danish striker to sign a contract that runs until 2030. (Caught Offside)

Wilcox working hard: Manchester United sporting director Jason Wilcox has indicated the club's recruitment drive isn't over. "We know what we have got to do. We know the areas of the team that we have got to improve," he said. (Manutd.com)

Oct. 29

Konsa courted by huge clubs: Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United are interested in Ezri Konsa. Aston Villa could accept an offer worth at least £40 million. (Caught Offside)

New beginning for Endrick: Lyon have opened talks to sign Endrick on a half-season loan from Real Madrid in January. The Brazilian striker is interested in the move but will assess other options in the next month. (Fabrizio Romano)

Mason murmurings: Marseille striker Mason Greenwood is becoming one of the most coveted players in Europe. Al-Hilal, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Tottenham are all weighing up offers for the Englishman. (Fichajes)

Scott's hot property: Newcastle and Tottenham are interested in bringing Scott McTominay back to the Premier League. The Napoli favorite is also a candidate to strengthen Barcelona's midfield. (TEAMtalk)

Jarrod could jump: Tottenham are prepared to offer up to €60 million for Jarrod Bowen. The attacker could consider leaving West Ham while the club stumbles through another crisis. (Fichajes)

Celik sale: Real Madrid have been offered the chance to sign Roma's Zeki Celik after Dani Carvajal suffered a new injury. Right-back Celik, who plays for Turkey with Arda Guler, is out of contract next June. (Defensa Central)

Atleti exits: Conor Gallagher, Nahuel Molina, and Alexander Sorloth could all leave Atletico Madrid in January. Manchester United are willing to pay €60 million for Gallagher, Juventus are interested in Molina, and Fenerbahce are preparing an offer worth around €35 million for Sorloth. (Fichajes)

James' new home: Club Leon have decided against renewing James Rodriguez's contract. He'll be a free agent on Dec. 31. The Colombian icon could end up in Major League Soccer or at another Mexican club. (ESPN)

Oct. 28

Vini considering exit: Vinicius Junior is seriously thinking about leaving Real Madrid, and could force a transfer as early as January. The Brazilian winger's relationship with manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly deteriorated. (AS)

Jobe not joining: Jobe Bellingham has no interest in signing for Manchester United. The Red Devils were reportedly considering a potential loan move for the young Borussia Dortmund midfielder. (Daily Mirror)

Barca looking at Leao: Barcelona are considering submitting an offer for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao, but the Portuguese international's €80-million valuation presents a challenge for the Catalan club. (Sport)

Anderson's price tag: Manchester United and Newcastle continue to monitor Elliot Anderson - the latter want to bring him back to St. James' Park - but Nottingham Forest want over £100 million for the English midfielder, and could demand as much as £120 million. (Florian Plettenberg)

Oct. 27

Ratcliffe doesn't want Lewy: Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has stepped in to block any potential move for 37-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski. Ratcliffe doesn't want the club to repeat recruitment mistakes of the past by signing players near the end of their careers. (Daily Mirror)

Saka securing the bag: Bukayo Saka is on the verge of signing a new record-breaking contract that will make him the highest-paid player in Arsenal history. The star winger's new deal will include a base salary of over £300,000 per week. (Football Insider)

Barca bid for Munoz: Barcelona are preparing a formal offer worth around €30 million to sign Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Munoz in January. Palace will work hard to keep the Colombian, but Hansi Flick is keen on adding him to his squad. (Fichajes)

Thomas being frank: Tottenham manager Thomas Frank isn't impressed by striker Dominic Solanke, and could ask the club's directors to sell the 28-year-old striker in January. (Football Insider)

Bournemouth stood firm: Bournemouth rejected multiple summer bids for Antoine Semenyo. The Cherries rebuffed £50-million offers from Tottenham and Manchester United, a decision that looks wise after the Ghanaian international's strong start to the season. (The Telegraph)

Juve need new full-back: Juventus are monitoring Chelsea right-back Malo Gusto. The Italian side views the Frenchman as an alternative to Atletico Madrid's Nahuel Molina. (Calciomercato)

Oct. 26

Son considering Milan loan: LAFC star Son Heung-min has a clause in his contract - nicknamed the "Beckham clause" - that would allow him to join AC Milan on loan in the winter after the MLS season concludes. (Calciomercato)

Barca eye Greenwood: Barcelona scouts are watching Mason Greenwood. The former Manchester United forward, now at Marseille, spent time in La Liga with Getafe, and would be interested in reuniting with ex-United teammate Marcus Rashford at the Camp Nou. (The Sun)

Five-man shortlist: Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has a list of targets that he wants to pursue to bolster the club's midfield. Morten Hjulmand remains the top option, but Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Jobe Bellingham, and Victor Froholdt are also being considered. (TEAMtalk)

Roma revolution: Roma aren't satisfied with the output of strikers Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, who are struggling to find the net so far this season. Dovbyk could be sold outright, while the on-loan Ferguson could be sent back to Brighton & Hove Albion. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

BVB being proactive: Borussia Dortmund are working to extend Karim Adeyemi's contract. Talks with his agent, Jorge Mendes, are ongoing. Barcelona and Chelsea are keeping a keen eye on the situation. (Ekrem Konur)

Oct. 25

Bruno's buyout: Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has a €65-million release clause in his contract. Despite that figure making him an easy target for the Saudi Pro League, the Portuguese star has no desire to move to Saudi Arabia next summer. (BBC Sport)

Rescuing Zirkzee: West Ham and Sevilla are looking into the possibility of signing Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman has fallen out of favor at Old Trafford after the Red Devils recruited multiple forwards in the summer. (Daily Mirror)

Going after Gordon: Liverpool would like to add another forward to their attack-heavy squad. Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon and Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo are being strongly considered. (Football Insider)

Germany's next gem: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City have sent scouts to watch Bayern Munich teenager Lennart Karl, the 17-year-old who scored a splendid goal on his full Champions League debut. (Caught Offside)

Calling about Kalulu: Newcastle, Aston Villa, and RB Leipzig are interested in signing versatile Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. The Magpies are preparing a €30-million bid for the Frenchman. (Ekrem Konur)

Oct. 24

Turkish tandem: Real Madrid are willing to pay €100 million to sign rising Turkish star Kenan Yildiz from Juventus. If they can land the 20-year-old, he'd link up with international teammate Arda Guler. (Fichajes)

Decision time for Blues: Chelsea want Bayern Munich center-back Dayot Upamecano. He'd cost around £52 million in January, but if Chelsea wait until the summer, when he becomes a free agent, they risk missing out on the Frenchman amid interest from other clubs. (Football London)

Discount for DM: Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand has a release clause of £70 million, but Manchester United are confident they can sign the Danish defensive midfielder for around £50 million. (TEAMtalk)

Jesus wants to stay: Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus wants to remain at Arsenal through the entirety of his contract, which expires in June 2027, despite his opportunities to play seeming limited after the Gunners' recent additions up front. (ESPN)