Lionel Messi asks Barcelona not to sign top transfer target, Chelsea to end negotiations with Real Madrid for Eden Hazard and more: Transfer Roundup, 15 February 2019

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Transfer Roundup. Let's waste no time and take a look at some of the biggest transfer news of the day.

Unai Emery wants 'new Ozil' Kai Havertz

With Mesut Ozil looking set to exit the club in the summer, Arsenal are expected to go into the transfer market to rope in a new and exciting playmaker. According to Calcio Mercato, Arsenal have identified Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Kai Havertz as a like-for-like replacement for the departing German.

Havertz has caught the eye of several top clubs in Europe. He has scored 11 goals so far this term and 8 of those have come in the German Bundesliga. The 19-year-old prefers to play behind the strikers and has his style of play has drawn a lot of comparison to that of Mesut Ozil's and Toni Kroos'.

Inter Milan consider stunning swoop for Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku has cut a frustrated figure at Old Trafford of late

Romelu Lukaku has become Manchester United's second-choice striker under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and speculation has been rife over a potential move away for the big Belgian.

Now, according to TuttoMercatoWeb, Inter Milan are eyeing a stunning swoop for the 25-year-old striker. There is great uncertainty over Mauro Icardi's future and Inter Milan are preparing for life without him.

Inter Milan stripped Icardi of the captaincy before handing it over to Samir Handanovic. The Nerazzurri's top brass made the decision after feeling let down by Icardi's wife and agent Wanda Nara's comments earlier this week.

United had signed Lukaku on a £75 million deal in the summer of 2017. After initially impressing under Jose Mourinho, Lukaku's form has wavered and Rashford has now taken over his place in the starting XI.

Chelsea displeased with Real Madrid's offer, ready to end negotiations

Several reports had come out in January which claimed that Real Madrid have already agreed terms with Eden Hazard. The way Chelsea's campaign is going, it looks pretty certain that Hazard will leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.

However, now as per new reports, Chelsea feel insulted by the offer that Real Madrid have tabled to secure the Belgian's signing and are on the verge of ending negotiations with the Blancos.

Real Madrid have offered the Blues €30 million + Mateo Kovacic as Hazard will have only one year remaining in his current Chelsea contract at the end of the season. However, Chelsea want at least €80 million in cash and are not impressed by Real Madrid's offer right now.

Lionel Messi vetoes signing of top transfer target

Lionel Messi has asked Barcelona to not sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to reports in Spain. Barcelona were keen to sign Rabiot in January but were put off by his huge demands.

Rabiot now finds himself at the doghouse in PSG after becoming a contract rebel. The midfielder, as per the report, had a list of demands that were exorbitant and that's why Barcelona decided to close the signing of Frenkie De Jong.

Rabiot reportedly wanted €20 million as signing bonus in addition to a hefty wage package and a guarantee of a key position in the team. Messi believes that the egocentric Frenchman won't be a good fit at the Camp Nou and has forbidden the Cules from striking up a deal with him.

Edited by Sripad