Football
ESPN staff 6y

Transfer Talk: Man United join Neymar chase, Rooney says goodbye

The summer window opens soon and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours.

Man United chasing Neymar

It seems that Manchester United are ready to make another effort to sign Neymar.

According to the Mirror, the Old Trafford club are prepared to rival Real Madrid for the Brazilian forward's signature, should he decide to leave Paris Saint-Germain just one year after joining the French club from Barcelona.

Neymar, who is back in France as he works his way back to fitness ahead of the World Cup, would cost more than £200 million and command wages of £30m per year.

But that does not appear to have put off United and the Premier League runners-up hope to persuade the 26-year-old's father who, says the report, "is a United fan and would love his son to play for the club one day."

And while admitting there is plenty of other gossip out there on this topic, including a suggestion Real Madrid would have to convince the Emir of Qatar to sanction a deal, we give you the comments on Saturday night of PSG CEO & Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi:

Oh, and Neymar tweeted a picture of himself PSG's new kit, with the tag line: "Proud to wear the new jersey and to continue giving you joy." This one is going to run all summer, isn't it?

Rashford set for new deal

Now to news of a current United forward, who might be interested to read the above rumour, given how his playing time has declined since Alexis Sanchez joined the club in January.

The Mirror reports that Marcus Rashford, who has started just three league games in 2018, has told friends he is disillusioned with his lot at Man United but that could trigger a new contract after the World Cup that increases his weekly wage from £60,000 to almost £100,000.

Rooney says goodbye at Everton

Sky Sports reports that Wayne Rooney has played the last game of his second spell at Everton and was saying his goodbyes at the club's training ground on Saturday. 

Rooney has been heavily linked with a move to MLS club D.C. United and, after a season in which he scored 11 goals in all competitions, the suggestion is that his move stateside is getting closer to completion.

Everton manager Sam Allardyce said on Friday that the 32-year-old, who will not play against West Ham on Sunday due to a minor injury, had not asked for a transfer. 

Man City shift focus to Zaha

Manchester City are considering a £50m bid for Wilfried Zaha as Pep Guardiola eyes more firepower for his record-breaking attack. The champions have broken the Premier League record for most goals scored in a season with 105, ahead of their visit to Southampton on Sunday.

City attempted to sign Riyad Mahrez in January but the Mirror believes Zaha is now the main focus, though interest in the Algerian winger has not been completely dropped. Zaha's eight goals and five assists have caught the eye of Guardiola three years after he rejoined Palace for £3m from Man United. The 25-year-old has four years remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park.

Barcelona plan beyond Griezmann

Spanish champions Barcelona are looking beyond the imminent window as they bid to rejuvenate their squad.

The Mail, referencing a report from Mundo Deportivo, claim that Antoine Griezmann will arrive after July 1, once the Blaugrana pay his €100m release clause.

And the gaping hole left by Andres Iniesta in midfield could be filled by Ajax wonderkid Frenkie De Jong, a 20-year-old who has contributed eight Eredivisie assists this term.

Meanwhile, Gremio's Arthur will arrive in January 2019 after a £26m deal was put in place last March, while La Masia graduate Carles Alena is set to move into the first-team squad.

Higuain or Dybala leaving Juve?

They might be on the brink of a seventh straight Scudetto but it does not seem as though Juventus are about to rest on any laurels.

According to Sportmediaset, the Turin-based club are prepared to listen to offers for their Argentine forward duo, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala. Higuain, who is six years older than his fellow countryman, would be the preferred choice to sell, but Dybala would fetch a larger transfer fee. 

In recent days, Juventus have been linked with Anthony Martial and Alvaro Morata, while manager Max Allegri continues to be mentioned as a possible successor to Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

Tap-ins

- Could this be the summer that sees Mauro Icardi leave Inter? It seems like a question that gets asked annually but the Argentinean forward did not rule out a move when asked about his future following Inter's shock home defeat to Sassuolo, which severely damaged their hopes of Champions League qualification.

"I repeat every year, I will speak to the club. If it's good for the team that I stay, then I'll stay, otherwise I will leave," Icardi told Sky Sport Italia and Mediaset Premium.

- Man United and Tottenham have been told to pay £100m if they want to sign Ryan Sessegnon. The Sun says Fulham will attempt to keep the 17-year-old at all costs after his performances earned him the Championship Player of the Season award.

- Everton, Inter and Monaco are in talks over William Carvalho, claim A Bola, and could sign the midfielder for his buyout clause of £35m. With just two years remaining on his deal, Sporting can receive maximum value, especially if the 26-year-old performs well at the World Cup with Portugal.

- Stoke will let Joe Allen leave this summer if a £25m bid from a top-six Premier League club arrives. The Telegraph claims his release clause has that criteria, though it excludes Allen's former club Liverpool, to whom Stoke paid £13m in 2016 for the Wales international.

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