Shanghai SIPG mean business this season.  

Despite remaining the only unbeaten team in the coronavirus-delayed season of the Chinese Super League and sitting comfortably at the summit of the table, Vitor Pereira's side further bolstered their title ambitions by adding Australia midfielder Aaron Mooy to their star-studded squad. 

Brighton announced Mooy's departure from the Premier League on Friday and said his surprise move to China is subject to international clearance. The 29-year-old's transfer comes after he made 32 appearances for the Seagulls last season and scored twice to send the club to their best ever points tally in the English topflight. 

According to the Athletic, Mooy's deal with Brighton was not due to expire until June 2023, but SIPG have activated a pre-existing clause in the Australian international's contract that would allow him to join a Chinese club for a set fee. 

"Aaron has been an excellent professional during his time with us. It's a good move for all parties," said Brighton manager Graham. "We have a number of really good players in that position and therefore Aaron goes with our blessing." 

"I have really enjoyed working with him, and on behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future," he added. 

Mooy established his name in the Premier League as he was one of the most dependable players in Huddersfield after guiding the limited side win promotion to the top tier in 2017. He signed for Brighton on a three-and-a-half year deal in January having initially joined on loan in August last year. 

Mooy made his Australia debut in 2012 and has been an integral part of Socceroos'  World Cup campaign in Russia in 2018. Intelligent and technically brilliant, he has reportedly drawn interest from the likes of Everton, Southampton and West Ham.

Mooy can bring much needed vitality and drive to a variety of positions and will fit into Pereira's system with ease. He offers pace, steel, tenacity and a penchant for  defense-piercing passes that dismantle defensive-minded opponents. 

The reinforcement – and the lessons learned from last season in which SIPG lost momentum at the latter stage of the title race  – should help Pereira turn SIPG into a serious rival for Evergrande and possibly wrestle back the league title they lost in 2019. 

Mooy's arrival may signal the displacement of Uzbek veteran Odil Ahmedov, who played a vital role in helping SIPG break Guangzhou Evergrande's stranglehold on domestic title in 2018. 

Elsewhere in Spain, Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has rejected a meeting with Lionel Messi to negotiate his departure, Spanish media outlet El Periodico revealed on Friday.

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a move for Messi, insisting there is "no chance" he will join the English champions. 

"Who doesn't want Messi in their team? The numbers are not for us, but a good player, to be honest," said Klopp during a press briefing when asked if he was interested in luring the 33-year-old to Anfield. 

"For the Premier League, it would be great, but I am not sure the Premier League needs that boost," added Klopp. "He's never played in another league. Football is different here. I'd like to see it but I'm not sure I will." 

Klopp believes it is important for Liverpool to follow their own careful transfer model even if their rivals indulge in big spending in the summer transfer window.  

"It will be interesting to see what other teams do but we will deal with our situation as we always have. The philosophy of this club is clear and we will see how much we want to spend," he concluded.