Did Man Utd offer £144m for Neymar?
The winter window might have shut, but the rumour mill rolls on! As always, Transfer Talk has its finger on the pulse when it comes to the latest rumours and gossip. See the latest deals here.
TOP STORY: Neymar’s £144m bid from the Prem?
The Sun claims that Barcelona star Neymar could be on his way to the Premier League in the summer, thanks to a slip of the tongue from his father. The report claims that Manchester United currently lead the chase, with Chelsea and Manchester City also lurking with intent closely behind.
Neymar Sr., whose son is being probed by a Spanish court for alleged corruption and fraud, told a judge that an unnamed club has offered £144 million for his son, and it wasn’t Real Madrid. The Sun mention that in August, they broke a story saying that United officials were in talks with the Ballon d’Or nominee over a potential move to Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old already has 19 goals and 13 assists for Barcelona this season, and thanks to the arrival of Luis Suarez in the summer, has helped to bring the Catalonian’s attacking options to a new level. But with rumours of the forward talking to Real Madrid in Spain, who’s to say that he couldn’t have been talking to Manchester United, as they look to make a statement of intent to their fans and the world of football.
Thursday’s Sun back page:
Neym in Frame#tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #mufc pic.twitter.com/QNXuYXacMC– Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) February 3, 2016
Teixeira offer from China too good to turn down
The Mail reports that Liverpool target Alex Teixeira will become the latest player to move to the mega-rich Chinese Super League in the next 24 hours, with the deal threatening to reach a massive £35 million. The fee will eclipse the £32m Guangzhou Evergrande paid Atletico Madrid for Jackson Martinez this week and the £25m paid to Chelsea for Teixeira’s fellow Brazilian Ramires.
The stunning move which would see the Brazilian forward join from Shakhtar Donetsk provides a big blow to Liverpool, who refused to bid higher than £30m. They were planning to come back in the summer with the English transfer window having closed on Monday night but Jiangsu have seemingly beat them to it. The Chinese window does not close until Feb. 26.
United to try again for Elabdellaoui
Manchester United are planning to re-ignite their interest in Omar Elabdellaoui after failing to sign him on transfer deadline day, say Greek outlet Gazetta. The Red Devils had all but agreed a package deal to sign the right back on Monday, only for the switch to break down at the last moment.
The plan was to take the 24-year-old defender on loan, with an option to make it permanent for £7.5m, but the two clubs couldn’t agree on a loan fee. Once on the books of their bitter rivals Manchester City, the pacey and agile Norwegian has impressed at Olympiakos after enjoying regular playing time. Barcelona and Juventus have also reportedly been interested in the player.
North London rivals on red alert with Wanyama
The Mirror reckons that Arsenal and Tottenham are both keeping an eye on Victor Wanyama’s situation at Southampton, as the Kenyan midfielder continues to stall on a new deal. A five-year deal is on the table for him to commit his future to St Mary’s, but the 24-year-old wants to wait until the end of the season before signing anything.
Last summer he submitted a transfer request after becoming aware of interest from Spurs, and it is understood he is hopeful that the North Londoners will come in for him again this year.
Southampton, however, do not want him to enter the final 12 months of his contract as they know they will face having to sell him for a reduced fee — as they did with Nathaniel Clyne last summer.
Begovic ready to bounce from the Blues
Asmir Begovic is ready to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, according to the Sun. The Bosnian goalkeeper joined the Blues from Stoke City last summer as a replacement for Petr Cech, who moved to Arsenal for £10.9 million.
An injury to Chelsea’s first-choice keeper Thibaut Courtois saw Begovic enjoy an extended run in the starting XI, but the Belgian’s return has once again relegated him to the bench.
The 28-year-old has played just once under Guus Hiddink, and being left on the bench in the FA Cup tie against MK Dons last weekend is said to have only heightened the keeper’s frustration at his lack of playing time.
Tap-Ins
– Brazil legend Ronaldinho rejected a January move to Premier League leaders Leicester City, according to Mundo Deportivo. The former PSG, Barcelona and AC Milan star has been searching for a club after leaving Fluminense in September, but was not keen on a move to the King Power Stadium, but is instead thought to be holding out for a big-money move to China.
– The Express reports that Arsenal will hope to loan out Serge Gnabry once the emergency loan window officially opens next week. The 20-year-old registered just one Premier League appearance while on loan at West Brom during the first half of the season, but is set to be recalled and sent out on loan again in hope of gaining some more playing time. Brighton, Charlton and Fulham have all made enquiries for the German winger.
– According to the Newcastle Chronicle, the Magpies are on the verge of losing Remy Cabella. The report states that 25-year-old midfielder has a £6m pound buyout clause inserted into his contract, which Marseille are considering activating in the summer.
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