Manuel Neuer part of Pep's Man City rebuild?
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: Guardiola wants Neuer for Man City
Manuel Neuer is reportedly one of the dream targets on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City transfer wish-list, plunging Joe Hart’s long-term future with the club into doubt, according to The Mirror. Guardiola is planning a major squad overhaul when he takes charge in the summer, and having a sweeper-keeper who is good with his feet is a key part of his philosophy.
The 29-year-old’s current deal doesn’t expire until 2019, but initial discussions have already been held about an improved contract. Neuer is understood to be after a pay raise which would see his wages increase to around £300,000-a-week — nearly double what Bayern’s current top-earners make.
MIRROR SPORT: Hart out…Neuer in #tomorrowspaperstoday #mcfc pic.twitter.com/qGoCYXIYXI
– Neil Henderson (@hendopolis) March 3, 2016
City could comfortably meet such excessive wage demands, but persuading Bayern to sell would be the bigger hurdle. If the Blues can’t land Neuer and Hart is unable to convince Guardiola he has what it takes to play as required, the former Barcelona boss is prepared to look elsewhere.
Hart has been firmly established as City’s first-choice keeper for a number of years now and is an influential personality in their dressing room, so replacing him would be a big call for Guardiola to make so soon after arriving.
Chelsea scout Pogba
Chelsea reportedly sent scouts to Turin on Wednesday night to watch Paul Pogba in Juventus’ Coppa Italia semifinal second leg win vs. Inter Milan, reports the Daily Express. Since leaving Manchester United in 2012, Pogba has developed into one of the top midfielders in the world and the Blues are ready to return for the 22-year-old after failing in their bid to bring him to Stamford Bridge last summer.
Antonio Conte looks increasingly likely to take over at Chelsea in the summer. And the Italian, who managed Pogba when in charge of Juventus, may feel he can tempt the Frenchman to come to West London with a lucrative wage packet and the promise of a key role in midfield. However, the midfielder is expected to cost in the region of £70 million, and has also been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, which could complicate a potential deal.
United to bid for unsettled Busquets?
Sergio Busquets is unhappy with the way his Barcelona contract renewal talks are progressing and Manchester United are circling with intent, according to Spanish newspaper Sport. The 27-year-old wants to stay at Barcelona, but is asking for a pay raise that would make him the third-highest paid player on the team, only behind Lionel Messi and Neymar.
As talks continue, Busquets is wondering whether he is really valued as a top player by the club, or if he should start to listen to offers coming in elsewhere. The report also claims that Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the Spanish midfielder, but the Red Devils feel they have enough to persuade him their way. The Barcelona youth product has a £115 million release clause in his contract already, but it is believed United are hopeful of completing a deal for much less.
Liverpool look to Turkey for full-backs
The Mirror cites Turkish reports that Liverpool sent scouts to watch the country’s Super Lig left-backs Caner Erkin, 26, and Ismail Koybasi, 27, earlier this week. The pair came face-to-face when Fenerbahce and Besiktas met in the league on Monday night, and the Reds are interested in signing a left-back in the summer, with Alberto Moreno still struggling to convince at Anfield.
Tap-Ins:
– A summer exit from Chelsea is looking more and more likely for John Terry. TalkSport is reporting that he and the club are still yet to begin talks over a new contract.
– Sardar Azmoun, the man dubbed the “Iranian Messi,” could be on his way to Goodison Park this summer, according to The Sun. The 21-year-old is currently playing for Russian Premier League side FC Rostov, where he has scored six goals in 24 games while on loan from Rubin Kazan.
– Free agent Emmanuel Eboue is expected to finalise a short-term deal at Sunderland in the next 24 hours after the ex-Arsenal man’s experience proved sufficiently tempting for Sam Allardyce.
– USMNT striker Gyasi Zardes, 23, has signed a contract extension with the LA Galaxy, keeping him at the club until 2018.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
