Transfer Balls: Man United Want Neymar (In Secret), Arsenal Buy Benzema A Jet, Chelsea Agree Pogba Fee, Sunderland Sell Everyone

Paul Sorene

22nd, August 2015

1 Comment

Transfer Balls: Rounding up the day’s football tittle-tattle so you don’t have to…

 

 

Manchester United Want Neymar

Hold the phone! Manchester United are in “secret talks” to buy 23-year-old Brazil and Barcelona forward Neymar, says the Sun. In a trice the secret talks are no longer secret. 

Shaun Curtis writes: “a top Barcelona source has told SunSport the Red Devils have made a discreet approach to the La Liga champions.”

Anonymous source says Man United have have made a secret approach to buy one of world footballer’s star names. Any facts?

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has been to Barca three times in the last two months with all the talk being about United’s chase for Pedro. But, under the radar, Woodward has made an audacious bid for Neymar.

Man United never did buy Pedro, losing out to Chelsea for the winger’s signature, although the official Old Trafford line is that Van Gaal dropped his interest in the Spaniard at the 11th hour. Van Gaal has ben splitting hairs, telling media: “When you ask me does Pedro fit into the profile, I cannot lie, then I say yes. I cannot deny that but I did not say I was interested — that’s the difference.”

Back to Neymar, of whom Curtis adds: “…the Brazilian superstar is well aware that if he moved to Old Trafford he would become the undisputed main man and a challenger for the title of World Player of the Year.”

Hispanic players dream of playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona. They do not dream of playing for Manchester United. But that anonymous source has something to add: “United are one of the biggest clubs in the world so it is right they should be chasing a player who has the potential to be the best player on the planet.”

Chase away. But you won’t catch him.

 

Best / worst of the rest

Arsenal have chartered a jet to fly Karim Benzema to the Emirates for his medical, says the Telegraph. The paper’s headline news is rooted in a single tweet by Emanuele Giulianelli, who writes:”Arsenal are believed to have rented a Gulfstream private jet to accommodate Benzema on Sunday evening.” Believed?

Chelsea have agreed to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus for £69m, says the Sun

Manchester City have spent £50 on Kevin de Bruyne, 24, says the Daily Mirror

Norwich City’s £14m bid for QPR striker Charlie Austin has failed, says the Daily Mirror)

Juan Cuadrado has an “agreement in principle” to join Juventus, reports Calciomercato

Everyone at Sunderland is for sale, says team manager Dick Advocaat: “If the player wants to go, he can go.” And that includes Advocaat. who will be replaced by… Sam Allardyce, says the Daily Mirror

Bournemouth have offered Crystal Palace around £5m for 31-year-old striker Glenn Murray, says the Guardian

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans, 27, is being chased by for West Brom, says the Sun 

Sevilla want to take West Ham United’s Andy Carroll on loan, says the Times

Sunderland are chasing Napoli’s Dutch international Jonathan de Guzmanm says the Daily Mail. The Times says it’s a done deal.

Everton have agreed a £6m deal for River Plate’s Argentine defender Ramiro Funes Mori, says Sky Sports