Barcelona News LIVE updates: PSG Coutinho talks, Arsenal want Rafinha, Neymar backlash

BARCELONA news is coming thick and fast and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest gossip from the Nou Camp.

Players yell at Suarez during Barcelona's match in empty stadium

Barcelona News LIVE updates: All the latest from the Nou Camp

Monday October 9

Three men to leave

16:25: Following on from reports earlier today that two men will leave Barcelona in January (14.30), Valverde appears ready to axe THREE men, including Arsenal target Arda Turan.

Sport claim Barca boss Ernesto Valverde wants to axe three players in the New Year.

Paco Alcacer and Thomas Vermaelen will be gone before February.

And Arsenal target Turan will also be let go, although the Gunners face competition from Galatasaray for his signature.

Barca duo off?

14:30: Barcelona duo Paco Alcacer and Gerard Deulofeu could leave the club next summer, reports claim.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim manager Ernesto Valverde has no plans for the pair, and is prepared to offload them.

Deulofeu, who re-joined from Everton after Barcelona triggers his buyout clause, could be snapped up for £17.8million.

Griezmann thinks United are coming

13:45: Atletico Madrid hitman Antoine Griezmann thinks Manchester United still plan to sign him at the end of the season.

The France forward nearly signed this summer, only for Atletico's transfer ban to scupper a move.

And Don Balon report Griezmann thinks United may try and get him again.

However, the Red Devils are not the only European heavyweight plotting a summer bid.

Griezmann is also said to be tickling the fancy of both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

United free to sign Bale

13:00: Manchester United are free to sign Gareth Bale next summer with reports claiming Real Madrid are happy to let the Wales international depart.

Bale nearly joined Manchester United four years ago, only for the 28-year-old to move to Spain with Real Madrid instead.

The Wales international has won the Champions League three times since leaving Tottenham, starring under Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Zinedine Zidane.

However, his Real career has taken a turn for the worse in recent months, with the Bernabeu crowd booing and jeering him.

And Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo says that Premier League teams are now free to sign Gareth Bale with Real happy to do business for the wing wizard.

That news will surely prick the ears of Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

The 54-year-old was determined to make Bale his marquee signing of the summer, knowing the rise of Marco Asensio could see him struggle for game time.

The Wales international eventually opted to stay put but Mundo Deportivo claim his Real career is now winding down. 

Barcelona Transfer News: The Catalan side are looking to sign Dele AlliSPORT

Barcelona Transfer News: The Catalan side are looking to sign Dele Alli

Pedro backs Iniesta for top role

12:00: Chelsea winger Pedro believes Andres Iniesta could manage Barcelona in the future.

Pedro, who played alongside Iniesta at the Nou Camp, is thrilled the playmaker extended his contract and thinks he’s capable of becoming a top manager.

He said: “It is a great joy. He's a spectacular player and I'm very happy for him. He deserves it for his behaviour, his values. That's the captain.

"If someone deserves an extension like this, it's him. Certainly, he could coach Barca in the future, but I hope he does what he likes best. He is a great team-mate and friend."

PSG eye David de Gea

11:30: Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has emerged as a player of interest to Paris Saint-Germain.

After a shaky start to his career at Manchester United, De Gea has developed into one of the best goalkeepers in world football.

United have seen off considerable interest in De Gea from Real Madrid in the past and are now hoping to extended his contract.

But PSG made a huge statement to world football when they signed Neymar and Kylian Mbappe during the summer and, with the backing of Qatari ownership, they are likely to make more big deals in the coming windows.

And according to French outlet Le10 Sport, PSG are now considering a move for De Gea.

Current goalkeepers Kevin Trapp and Alphonse Areola have failed to convince at the Parc de Frances.

Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak is mentioned as a transfer target but De Gea is viewed as a possibility at the end of the season.

Messi gives blessing

11:05: Lionel Messi gave Barcelona the green light to make a move for Antoine Griezmann over the summer, it has been claimed.

Barcelona endured a rocky summer, losing Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain on the back of a season where fierce rivals Real Madrid had reigned supreme domestically and in Europe. 

Their attempts to land a replacement were made difficult by the hard stances of both Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool surrounding Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho.

Barcelona eventually signed Dembele for a huge £96million, while they were unable to convince Liverpool into letting Coutinho move to the Nou Camp.

And Spanish website Don Balon say Lionel Messi wanted the club to sign Griezmann from Atletico Madrid.

Barca want Dele over Coutinho

10:30: Barcelona want to sign Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli instead of Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, reports say.

Barcelona tried to sign Coutinho from Liverpool over the summer, fuelled by the riches garnered from Neymar’s £200million move to Paris Saint-Germain.

However, despite the Brazilian being hellbent on leaving Merseyside, the Catalan giants were unable to convince Jurgen Klopp into selling his star asset.

And Catalan newspaper Sport says Barcelona now want to sign Alli, whose stock continues to rise over in north London at Tottenham.

Liverpool Transfer News: Philippe Coutinho is being tracked by Paris St-Germain and BarcelonaGETTY

Liverpool Transfer News: Philippe Coutinho is being tracked by Paris St-Germain and Barcelona

City to trigger Roberto release clause

09:45: Manchester City are prepared to pay the £35.7million euro release clause attached to Barcelona's Sergi Roberto, according to a report in the Daily Mirror.

The Blues are keen to bring the 25-year-old to the Ethiad Stadium in January, with the versatile player capable of filling a midfield role or either of the full-back positions.

Arsenal in talks with Turan

09:00: The never-ending story of Arda Turan to Arsenal has resurfaced.

The Gunners have frequently been linked with the Barcelona outcast, who’s struggled to cement himself at the Nou Camp.

CNN Turk claim Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is eager to sign the 30-year-old, and has already opened talks with the player’s representatives.

Galatasaray are also in contact with Turan, but it’s thought the North London club are favourites for his signature.

Coutinho talks intensify - report

08:00: Paris St-Germain have stepped up their pursuit of Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, reports claim.

Tribal Football recently claimed that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi had held talks with Coutinho's agent, Kia Joorabchian, about moving to the Parc des Princes.

And it’s now thought Al-Khelaifi has drafted in support to secure the Brazilian’s signature.

French publication Le 10 Sport say Al-Khelaifi has enlisted sports director Antero Henrique and his No.2 Maxwell to help with the project.

Wenger plots Rafinha/Ozil switch

07:40: Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona midfielder Rafinha.

Rafinha, 24, is yet to make an appearance for Barcelona this season due to being sidelined with a knee ligament injury. 

The Brazil international is expected to return to full fitness in December, but is unlikely to feature in Ernesto Valverde’s plans. 

He has been heavily linked with moves away from the Nou Camp in recent seasons, but has opted to stay in a bid to become a first-team regular. 

His father Mazinho - who also serves as his agent - insisted in May that he has no interest in leaving the club.

But since Valverde has taken charge, he appears to have changed his mind. 

Spanish outlet SuperDeporte claim the player is now seeking a way out of Barcelona in January.

It is said he wants to leave in order to boost his chances of making Brazil’s 2018 World Cup squad in Russia. 

And Arsenal are apparently keen on securing his signature as they bid to find a long-term replacement for Mesut Ozil.

Neymar wants Barcelona to be expelled

07:30: Neymar has demanded UEFA expel Barcelona from the Champions League in a dispute over a bonus payment.

Representatives of the Brazilian made the request to European football's governing body as a row between the player and his old club over a loyalty bonus continues.

The 25-year-old completed a world record transfer from Barca to Paris St-Germain in the summer.

His camp insist the timing of the move meant the club were obliged to pay him a loyalty bonus, reportedly worth around 25.6million euros (£23million).

Barcelona were reported to have refused this request and are also seeking repayment of a contract renewal bonus paid when Neymar signed a new five-year contract with the Catalan club in the autumn of 2016. Barca said that payment was worth 8.5m euros (£7.6m).

Now Neymar, formerly a Nou Camp favourite, has called on UEFA to kick the five-time European champions out of this season's competition.

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