Here’s your daily round-up of the latest transfer gossip from World Soccer.

BALOTELLI HAS HELD TALKS WITH BARNSLEY

If you thought that this year couldn’t get anymore bizarre, then you’d be wrong. According to The Sun, ex-Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has held talks with Championship strugglers Barnsley. The 30-year-old is a free agent after having his contract with Bresica terminated over missed training sessions.

Brescia’s Italian forward Mario Balotelli looks on during the Italian Serie A football match Brescia vs Lazio on January 5, 2020 at the Mario-Rigamonti stadium in Brescia. 

However, it’s understood that Balotelli has since decided against a move to South Yorkshire. Chien Lee and Paul Conway, co-chairmen at Oakwell, knew the striker well from his time at Nice when they were part of the hierarchy between 2016 and 2019. It’s a real shame that we won’t be seeing him in the Championship, but we’re still interested in seeing where Balotelli ends up next.

MANCHESTER CITY READY TO REVIVE MESSI INTEREST

It doesn’t seem long ago that Lionel Messi sent the football world into a frenzy when he announced that he wanted to leave the Nou Camp. Manchester City were one of the sides understood to be interested in his signature, before he eventually decided to stay at Barcelona.

Barcelona’s Argentine forward Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal during the Spanish League football match between Barcelona and Real Betis at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on November 7, 2020. 

However, according to The Sun, The Citizens are ready to revive their interest in the 33-year-old in January. He’s out of contract at the end of the season so could be available for a cut-price fee.

CHELSEA TARGET BELLINGHAM 

He might’ve only recently joined Borussia Dortmund, but Chelsea have already got their eye on ex-Birmingham City wonderkid Jude Bellingham, according to Eurosport.

Dortmund’s English midfielder Jude Bellingham plays the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Arminia Bielefeld and Borussia Dortmund on October 31, 2020 in Bielefeld, western Germany. 

They’ll consider a bid for Bellingham instead of West Ham United’s 21-year-old midfielder Declan Rice.