Messi wants €220 million superstar at Barcelona, Real Madrid superstar set for shock exit to join Barcelona and more: Transfer Roundup, 19 May 2019

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. With the activities on the pitch for the season nearing its end, the backrooms of top European clubs are lit up and the transfer mill is buzzing ahead of the much-awaited summer transfer window.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates that made headlines on 19 May 2019.

Ernesto Valverde denies rumours that Griezmann will join Barcelona before the Copa Del Rey final

With speculation rife that Barcelona are willing to pay Antoine Griezmann's £108 million release clause, the Cules' manager has come out and quelled rumours which suggested that the Frenchman could be signed up before the weekend's Copa Del Rey final.

Antoine Griezmann released a farewell video via social media where he announced that he will be leaving the club in the summer. He thanked the club and the supporters but did not say anything about his future destination.

Speaking ahead of Barcelona's Copa Del Rey final matchup against Valencia, Valverde said that talks are being held with several players but none of the deals will be finalized before this weekend.

Valverde said,

"It is true we have already made contacts,"

"It is true that contacts are ongoing, but the season isn't over yet. We have the Copa del Rey final still to play. We have the chance of winning two titles and we must try to focus on this issue.

"Afterwards we will have time for everything else - we won't say anything new when we are talking about players from other teams. We will see (what happens). He (Griezmann) is a great player. We've always said so."

Griezmann has been Atletico's leading goalscorer in the 5 seasons that he played for the club and has been one of the most important cogs in Diego Simeone's setup. His departure will undoubtedly be a major blow for Barcelona.

Also see : La Liga Transfer News, Barcelona Transfer News, Real Madrid Transfer News

Vincent Kompany leaves Manchester City to join Anderlecht

Adios Vincent Kompany, Manchester City legend

Vincent Kompany has decided to call it quits on his illustrious Manchester City career. Having won the domestic treble this season, the big Belgian called it a day on his exploits at the Etihad and has agreed to join Brussels club Anderlecht in the capacity of a player-manager.

Anderlecht is where Kompany began his playing career and life has truly come a full circle for him. Speaking about the decision, Kompany said,

"I choose to be grateful for the past but remain ambitious and driven for the future. For the next three years, I will take up the role of player-manager of Anderlecht. Belgium's finest," he wrote in the second part of a letter to fans on Facebook.

"This may come as a surprise to you. It's the most passionate yet rational decision I've ever made."

Nicolas Pepe will leave in the summer, Lille coach confirms

Nicolas Pepe is among the brightest young prospects in world football at the moment. The LOSC Lille winger has plenty of admirers with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United being the most prominent names on the list.

Now Lille coach Christopher Galtier has revealed that the 23-year-old will leave the club this summer. He also added that he hopes the youngster makes a well thought out decision like the one he took to join Lille in the first place.

Galtier said,

"Nicolas Pepe will leave. Life's like that, football's like that today. He is a player of the highest level who will have a big decision to make on the choice of his next club.

"There will be a battle between the great European teams.

"I hope that he will take good amount of time to think about it, do his research, like he did when he came here and when he decided to stay here [last summer], find the right project."

Isco wants to join Barcelona

A lot of Real Madrid players may have played their last match for the Merengues. With Zinedine Zidane expected to oversee a major summer clear out sale, several high-profile stars or 'Galacticos', as they are fashionably titled, could be well on their way out of the club.

One player who has been tipped for an exit since the beginning of the recently concluded season is Spanish international Isco Alarcon. Having fallen out of favour with the Santiago Bernabeu crowd, Isco was expected to depart in January. However, he decided to stick around.

The latest reports claim that he has now warned the club once again that he wants to play alongside Lionel Messi. This has not gone down well with the Real Madrid top brass at all. Isco is running out of friends in the dressing room and Los Blancos are open to selling him. Though it remains to be seen whether or not Barcelona will launch a move for him.

Lionel Messi wants Mohamed Salah at Barcelona

It's been only a couple of days since Antoine Griezmann posted his farewell message to Atletico Madrid fans. However, in these couple of days, we have seen all kinds of rumours ranging from those that suggested that Barcelona are excited to sign him to those that claimed Messi and co. don't want anything to do with the Frenchman.

Neymar Jr. is yet another big name that has been heavily linked with La Blaugrana. However, Lionel Messi has now asked the Barcelona top brass to roll the dice and launch a bid for none other than the Liverpool talisman, Mohamed Salah.

Salah has won the Premier League Golden Boot in consecutive seasons after joining from AS Roma and ensured that the departure of Philippe Coutinho did not have a negative impact on the club.

Klopp wants €220 million for the attacker. That's almost €100 million more than what Barcelona will have to play for Griezmann. But since Messi is not getting any younger and because next year could be the last year in which he can dominate teams like he did this season, Barcelona may be tempted to give him the team that he wants.

Edited by Sripad