Neymar to Manchester United; Arsenal to bid for Ben Chilwell; Liverpool hold talks over Alex Teixeira move
The latest transfer news and rumours across the Premier League
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Your support makes all the difference.The battle to sign Barcelona forward Neymar appears to be heating up after reports claimed both Manchester United and Manchester City will compete for his signature in the summer in a deal that could see the Brazil international earn an incredible £15m a year.
Italian newspaper Gazetta World claim that both Manchester clubs want to sign the 23-year-old at the end of the season, although Barcelona are very reluctant to sell one of their prized assets and have already opened negotiations with the player over a contract extension.
United are also believed to be close to a deal to sign Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches, who will cost the Premier League club around £30m. The highly-rated 18-year-old made his Benfica debut last year and is yet to make his senior international debut, but the Daily Mail report that United are willing to make a big-money move for him.
Arsenal are believed to be considering a second bid for Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, having seen a £3.5m offer rejected in the summer. The Telegraph claims that Arsenal are weighing up the offer for the 19-year-old, which could throw Kieran Gibbs’ future at the Emirates into major doubt after Nacho Monreal signed a new long-term contract this week.
Liverpool’s managing director Ian Ayre returned to Merseyside on Friday after holding talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over a move for Alex Teixeira, according to The Telegraph. The Reds saw a £24.5m bid rejected this week for the in-form attacking midfielder, although the Ukrainian club value the Brazilian at £38m.
The Guardian meanwhile adds that Liverpool will consider making an improved offer for Teixeira in the coming days in the hope of beating Chelsea to his signature.
Speaking of the Blues, the west London side are believed to have made an approach for Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva with a view to signing the Brazil international in the summer. Chelsea’s defence has looked fragile this season with John Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma struggling for form, and Italian news outlet Tuttomercatoweb suggest that whoever replaces Guus Hiddink in the summer could have the 31-year-old among their ranks for next season.
Finally, United are being linked with a move for Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand in a bid to ease their growing injury concerns. Ashley Young has been ruled out for what Louis van Gaal revealed to be a “very long time” after requiring groin surgery, and he joins first-choice left-back Luke Shaw on the sidelines leaving United very short on options at the back, with the Daily Star suggesting that the Saints defender could be the subject of a £20m offer.
However, the Independent revealed this morning that former Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole is also a target, having ended his contract with Roma.
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