Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
If I was a marathon runner I would be showing signs of fatigue right now as the endless amount of transfer gossip sees now signs of abating any time soon. Thankfully for you though somebody has to wade through it all and that someone is me. So without further ado here is my
Gossip in standard font, my thoughts are in bold
Barcelona and Brazil forward Neymar, 25, has agreed a five-year contract with Paris St-Germain and could complete a 220m euros (£197m) move to the French side next week. (RMC, via Metro) If it is true that a contract has been agreed then it becomes a case of not if but when Neymar makes the move to PSG. Goodbye Football it was nice knowing you
PSG will offer former Manchester United winger Angel di Maria, 29, as part of the deal to reduce the taxes they will have to pay by triggering Neymar’s buyout clause. (AS) It could be an interesting move as the Di Maria and Mourinho worked together at Real Madrid, whether the Argentine international fancies a second stint at Old Trafford though remains to be seen
If Neymar leaves, Barcelona will choose from a trio of Premier League attacking midfielders – Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, 25, Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, 26, and 21-year-old Tottenham player Dele Alli – to replace him. (Mirror) This is the domino effect coming into play, if Neymar moves Barcelona need to fill that void and all three club will be bracing themselves for a call from Barcelona
But Barcelona fear Liverpool will price them out of a deal for Coutinho. (AS) Liverpool fans will probably be the most nervy right now and hope that this will be the case
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, 33, says only Neymar can clarify his future and added “I do not think 200-300 million [euros] will be more beneficial for Barcelona than having Neymar”. (Marca) Silence does speak volumes but if Neymar had said he was staying then all of this would be a non story, therefore a move to PSG looks the more likely
Monaco are adamant they will not sell Thomas Lemar, despite Arsenal making their third bid – of about £45m – for the 21-year-old France midfielder. (Telegraph) I’d say the chances are now less than 50/50
Manchester City will offer Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez, 28, a deal worth £320,000 a week to join them this summer. (Mail) The money that the Chilean international is demanding but Arsenal will not be keen to sell to Manchester City
Sanchez can expect to be welcomed with “open arms” if he joins City, says Chile team-mate and Manchester City keeper Claudio Bravo. (24 Horas, via Metro) I’m sure that will be the case and if that does happen then it must be Premier League title or bust for Manchester City
Southampton are determined to keep centre-back Virgil van Dijk, 26, and reintegrate him into the first-team squad, despite the Dutchman being left out of a training camp in France this week. (Telegraph) He’s not played for Southampton in 2017, I still think he may have already played his last football for the club
West Ham will reject any bid from Liverpool to sign 24-year-old attacking midfielder Manuel Lanzini. (Evening Standard) Are Liverpool eyeing up Lanzini as a potential replacement for Coutinho
Swansea are facing competition from Championship side Leeds to sign 31-year-old Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough. (Mirror) Ambitious from Leeds, although that said he was very ineffective at Middlesbrough last season, one thing is for sure he will have to drop his wage demands if he does go to Elland Road
Manchester United have opened contract talks with Spain midfielder Ander Herrera, 27, to fend off interest from Barcelona.(Express) This one has been lurking for a while, expect a nice little pay day for Herrera
Liverpool have ended their pursuit of RB Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita, 22, but may return next summer, when it is believed Keita can move for £48m.(Liverpool Echo) It seems as Plan A has come to a close, but what about Plan B?
Etienne Capoue’s future at Watford is in doubt after the 29-year-old French midfielder was involved in a row with boss Marco Silva following a pre-season friendly defeat by Rangers. (Mail) One of Watford’s better players last season, so whether this ends up being a blow or not remains to be seen
Arsenal are interested in signing 21-year-old midfielder Jakub Jankto from Udinese, according to the Czech international’s agent. (Sportitalia, via Express) That news will only add to the electric atmosphere at The Emirates Cup over the next few days
Manchester United have resumed their interest in Inter Milan and Croatia winger Ivan Perisic, 28, but are worried time spent pursuing Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, also 28, may have cost them. (Independent) No more Perisic rumours for the love of God
Chelsea would have to offer about £17.9m if they want to sign Inter Milan midfielder Antonio Candreva, 30, in a move which could allow the Italian club keep hold of Perisic. (Daily Star) Could be a useful addition to the squad, nothing more than that really. Not quite the signing befitting of Premier League champions
Wales international Bale will resist any attempts by Real Madrid to sell him to Manchester United as he has no plans to leave the Spanish club. (Times – subscription required) All hinges on whether or not Kylian Mbappe moves to the Bernabeu, that move will have to be funded somehow
Everton will look to sign 26-year-old Nice midfielder Jean Seri, believed to be a target for Arsenal, if the Toffees cannot agree a fee for Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, 27. (L’Equipe, via Sun) I watched Nice vs Ajax earlier in the week and he looked very impressive in the build up to their goal…..which was Nice
Newcastle United have been linked with a move for Udinese goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis, 32. (Tutto Udinese, via Chronicle) The hunt for a goalkeeper at St. James’ Park continues, there have been a whole host of names linked with a move to the North East this summer you can now add this one to the list
