Avid followers of the series will be wondering why there was no afternoon transfer update yesterday, the simple reason being that I was a bit busy and forgot. The same reason as to why this one is running a bit late. That said it is running late but reading great, so without further ado here is the Thursday morning transfer roundup
Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold
Paris St-Germain are set to hold talks with Barcelona over a £196m deal to sign Neymar, Barca’s 25-year-old Brazil international forward. (Guardian) Now obviously should PSG actually meet the release fee then the talks will take place as there is then nothing stopping Neymar from leaving Barcelona, are we going to see a world record fee which blows the Paul Pogba deal out of the water?
PSG are willing to pay Neymar a signing on fee of £45m and will offer him a five-year contract worth £596,000 a week after tax. (Daily Mail) Football is truly eating itself now
Chelsea are holding out for £44m for Atletico Madrid target Diego Costa, 28, after agreeing a deal to sign his fellow striker Alvaro Morata, 24, from Real Madrid. (Independent) I guess in today’s market that is a fair representation of value for the Spanish international
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has played down talk of an imminent move for Spain international Costa. (Mirror) The club don’t really need to buy him straight away as he cannot play until January anyway
Liverpool are ready to bid £70m for RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita, having had a £66m offer rejected for the 22-year-old Guinea international. (Mirror) I guess if they are going to stump £66m then what difference is another £4m but frankly that is an absolutely insane
West Ham are set to sign former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, 29, from Bayer Leverkusen. (Sky Sports) After landing Joe Hart earlier in the week then their hunt for a striker could finally come to an end
Arsenal have told the Hammers they will have to pay £20m if they want to sign 25-year-old midfielder Jack Wilshere. (Daily Star) Which is double the amount that Sampdoria were supposedly quoted earlier in the week
Manchester City are set to sign Real Madrid’s 26-year-old Brazilian full-back Danilo for an initial £26.5m. (Guardian) £26.5m for an understudy for Kyle Walker. £76.5m on right back this summer
City are also closing in on a deal to sign Monaco’s 23-year-old French full-back Benjamin Mendy. (Times – subscription required) Add Mendy to the mix and we’re looking at over £100m on full backs, still small change for Manchester City
The Red Devils are also monitoring Ross Barkley’s situation at Everton as they consider a move for the 23-year-old England midfielder. (Mirror) Not sure what he adds to Manchester United to be honest, wouldn’t be guaranteed a start at Old Trafford
But Barkley is keen to join Tottenham after hearing glowing reports about manager Mauricio Pochettino. (Standard) Not for the money that Everton want, I’d rather leave him at Goodison Park personally
United and Chelsea both looked into signing Barcelona forward Neymar but were put off by the 25-year-old’s £196m asking price. (Mail) That can come as no real surprise though as the clause fee is very prohibitive but not as far as PSG are involved
Inter Milan have told Manchester United they must include forward Anthony Martial, 21, in any deal for £48m-rated winger Ivan Perisic, 28. (Independent) I’m so bored of this transfer saga
AC Milan have said 23-year-old attacking midfielder Suso – a target for Tottenham – is not for sale. (Tuttomercatoweb, via Talksport) Could be a decent addition to Tottenham’s ranks but I think the club can do better to be honest
Everton have had a bid accepted for Newcastle United defender Lewis Gibson. The Blues want the 17-year-old to join their under-23s set-up. (Liverpool Echo) Everton’s transfer march continues
Newcastle have offered out-of-favour forward Aleksandar Mitrovic, 22, to Lyon for £16m. (Foot Mercato, via Talksport) They will do very well or someone will be very stupid to pat that much for Mitrovic. I’d imagine a fee nearer £12m-14m to get him off the St. James Park books
Nottingham Forest are closing in on a £2m deal to sign experienced striker Daryl Murphy, 34, from Newcastle.(Nottingham Post) If that’s the replacement for Britt Assombalonga then it’s not good news for Nottingham Forest fans
Birmingham have opened contract talks with 21-year-old attacker Che Adams after rejecting a £5m bid for him from Fulham. (Daily Mail) Triffic
Aston Villa are closing in on their fourth summer signing – Stoke City midfielder Glenn Whelan, 33. (Birmingham Mail) Solid if not spectacular signings from Steve Bruce this summer can he return Villa to the top flight
PSG will sell midfielder Blaise Matuidi, 30, so long as a suitable replacement can be found. (L’Equipe – in French) Well PSG are not short of money so I can’t see that being an issue.