LIVE: Neymar 'caught' in talks with Real?
The winter window opened Jan. 2. As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to all the latest rumours and gossip. See the latest deals here.
TOP STORY: Neymar ‘caught’ with Real Madrid?
With Luis Suarez unlikely to leave Barcelona any time soon and Lionel Messi declaring his desire to stay at the Camp Nou despite Manchester City’s interest, Neymar is the likeliest lad to make way. Onda Cero reports that the Brazil captain and his father reportedly met with representatives from Barca’s bitter rivals Real Madrid while attending the 2015 Ballon d’Or ceremony earlier this month.
But a transfer may not be the ultimate goal for Neymar’s camp: Contract talks with the Blaugrana are said to have stalled, so what better way to engineer smoother negotiations than by being caught with the enemy? The enemy in question appear to be shoring up their own stars, with Marca reporting that Los Blancos — top of Deloitte’s Money League for an 11th consecutive season — want to extend Gareth Bale’s contract to ward off the likes of Manchester United this summer.
LIVE BLOG
07.30 GMT: Good day! Let us begin with Stoke City, who are ready to offer Porto ¬25 million in order to purchase their summer signing Giannelli Imbula, according to L’Equipe.
The Portuguese side signed the rangy central midfielder from Marseille for ¬23m but the 23-year-old has made only 10 appearances in the league during a difficult season for the club so far. Aston Villa, Southampton and West Brom have also reportedly expressed an interest in the former France under-21 international.
PAPER ROUND
Pedro considers Chelsea exit
Remember when Chelsea fans were ripping into Manchester United after pipping the Red Devils to Pedro last summer? Five months is a long time in football, and the Spain international may already be eyeing an exit from Stamford Bridge. The Star reports that the 28-year-old former Barcelona forward “is looking for a way out” of West London, with the Premier League champions “open to the idea” of a summer sale to the likes of Valencia or Villarreal.
Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink is desperate for goals, and multiple sources have told ESPN FC that Alexandre Pato is close to signing from Corinthians. The 26-year-old former AC Milan forward has confirmed he is interested in moving to the Premier League this winter, and ESPN FC has been told that Chelsea are in advanced talks with the forward’s agent.
Berahino price set at £30m
West Brom played hardball last summer with Saido Berahino, as the young striker was reduced to a tantrum when the Baggies rejected a fourth Tottenham bid for the 22-year-old. With interest in the English forward not set to dissipate any time soon, The Sun reports that Hawthorns chairman Jeremy Peace is finally considering letting Berahino go — but will not accept anything less than £30m.
The paper suggests that with Chelsea, Spurs and Newcastle all clearly after strikers this January, the Baggies are sitting safe in the knowledge that they can demand a fee “at least 50 percent higher than Berahino’s true valuation” in the winter window. However, the Mirror reports that Spurs have no intention of repeating their original summer bid of £25m, given that Berahino has scored just four goals since then.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men could be close to Sandro Ramirez though, with Sport suggesting that Spurs will offer £9m for the 20-year-old Barcelona forward.
Any Spurs fans dreaming of a Gareth Bale return from Madrid? Marca reports that the North London club have first refusal on any bid for the Wales star until June 30, 2019, which would also expire 72 hours after Madrid inform Spurs of any offers.
United eye Cavani
Manchester United are contemplating an official bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani, sources have told ESPN FC, with the Uruguayan striker extremely keen on a move to Old Trafford. The 28-year-old’s representatives initiated the contact with the United hierarchy, hoping to rekindle the club’s previous interest in the player, and there is an increasing feeling for the Premier League side that he may provide a solution to their striking problems.
At the other end of the pitch, David De Gea’s future looks set to hinge on whether he starts for Spain at Euro 2016. Sources have told ESPN FC that United are confident of keeping the goalkeeper if he gets Vicente del Bosque’s No. 1 spot, though one reason he has been tempted by a move to Madrid is because he feels it is necessary to get the status and visibility to finally usurp Iker Casillas.
Victor Valdes’ chances of replacing De Gea as United’s No. 1 have been slim to none for a while now, and the Mail reports that the 33-year-old is closing on a loan move to Standard Liege. And Andreas Pereira has admitted he is frustrated at a lack of first-team football at United and hinted he would consider going out on loan.
Sane and Xhaka to England?
One wanted man this month is Schalke’s Leroy Sane. Sport Bild have reported that Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain had already contacted the attacking midfielder’s agent Jurgen Milewski regarding a move, but Schalke say they have not received any offers for the 20-year-old talent.
Sporting director Horst Heldt told Sport1 that any transfer for the Germany international would be “in Schalke’s hands,” but, he admitted, “Should Leroy’s career progress like it has in the past, it is clear that it’s only a question of time until he wants to make the next step.” Transfer Talk assumes that’s Heldt’s cue for Europe’s elite to start a bidding war.
Another young midfielder linked with the Premier League is Granit Xhaka — and the 23-year-old has sent Arsenal and Chelsea fans into a frenzy by saying that playing in England would realise a “childhood dream,” though he added that Borussia Monchengladbach have yet to receive any offers for him. Xhaka, who wears No. 34 at Gladbach, joked that he had already been in touch with Arsenal’s No. 34 Francis Coquelin, telling Gladbach fanzine torfabrik.de: “Yeah, I already talked to him; he’d take another number.”
Vidic at Villa?
Nemanja Vidic never recaptured his Manchester United glory days after joining Inter Milan in 2014, but plenty of clubs could do worse than the 34-year-old given his reputation, attitude and the sheer fear he could strike into young, rich upstarts in need of some professionalism.
Having departed the San Siro by mutual agreement earlier this week, the centre-back could be heading to Aston Villa to help Remi Garde’s side in what looks to be a hopeless relegation battle — that’s according to The Sun.
Villa could be making way for Vidic after confirming that defender Jose Angel Crespo has joined Rayo Vallecano on loan until the end of the season.
TAP-INS:
– The good news for West Ham? The club announced the signing of highly rated full-back Sam Byram from Leeds United for an undisclosed fee on Wednesday. The bad news? Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has said that Hammers target Simone Zaza is “untransferable” this month, adding that he would like to play the 24-year-old Italy striker more in the second half of the season.
– Watford are not giving up on Mario Suarez. The Mail reports that the Hornets have renewed their bid for the Fiorentina midfielder and want to sign him on loan with view to a permanent deal.
– Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has told the Liverpool Echo he is targeting a return to England as his next transfer move. Release the kraken!
– Fulham’s Ross McCormack is the subject of a £9m bid from Middlesbrough, according to the Mail, and Boro are willing to throw in striker Kike for good measure.
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