Transfer news LIVE updates: Neymar Barcelona exit, Ozil angry over Man Utd, Bale regret

Transfer news LIVE updates: Follow all the latest news and gossip

Saturday October 21

Ozil not been offered contract

10.35: Mesut Ozil has not agreed terms with Arsenal simply because he has not been offered a new contract, according to a source close to the midfielder.

“Mesut has not had any contract offer from Arsenal,” the source told The Sun.

“There were talks about a modest pay rise last season but all those talks ended in March. There’s been nothing since then.

“At the time there was uncertainty over Arsene Wenger’s future so the conversations stopped.”

“He has not been offered £300,000 a week — in fact, he has no offers on the table from Arsenal or any other club,” the source added.

“And he is not seeking to become the highest-paid player in the Premier League.That’s not his aim.”

Man Utd DONE DEAL

09:20: Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has signed a new long-term deal at Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old made his debut at the end of last season against Arsenal and is now among Jose Mourinho’s plans this season - regularly training with the first team.

Mourinho is a big fan of the youngster and McTominay has now signed a new deal that keeps him at the club until at last 2021.

Pereira wants Valencia stay

07.25: Andreas Pereira has admitted he wants to remain at Valencia on loan for the entire season, despite Manchester United having a call-back clause.

“When I joined I knew that this clause existed but now I am calm, focused on Valencia,” he told Spanish outlet AS Diario.

“Nobody has called me from Manchester. I’m calm, if they want them to come back they'll call.

“I want to stay here for the whole season because I'm fit, I feel good ... If I had to go back it would be difficult again.”

Ozil angry

05:30: Mesut Ozil is reportedly furious over claims he is set to join Manchester United.

Recent reports suggested the Germany international told Arsenal team-mates he was confident of securing a move to Old Trafford.

But The Sun claim Ozil is ‘furious’ with the speculation surrounding his future and has NOT told anybody he wants to reunite with Jose Mourinho.

And a close friend of Ozil’s claimed Arsenal have not put an offer on the table for Ozil since March and that he hasn’t demanded £300,000-a-week.

Friday October 20

Everton eye Vinagre

22:37: Everton are considering a swoop for Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Ruben Vinagre according to the Daily Mail. 

The 18-year-old has impressed for the championship side so far during his season-long loan from Monaco and his form has seemingly alerted the Merseyside club.

Liverpool's Brooks blow

21:15: Sheffield United will not be selling Liverpool target David Brooks in the January transfer window.

Brooks, 20, put pen to paper on a four-year deal earlier this week amid interest from the Reds.

Blades boss Chris Wilder said: “There is no buy-out clause in the contract.

“It is just about time (length of the contract).”

Barca eye Herrera

20:10: Barcelona are preparing a move for Manchester United star Ander Herrera, according to reports.

Spanish publication Don Balon claim Barca have identified Herrera as his long-term successor.

Herrera has struggled for game time under Jose Mourinho this season following Nemanja Matic’s arrival.

The midfielder is also keen to be playing regularly if he wants to make Spain’s World Cup squad next year.

And Don Balon state Barca are ready to give him the chance to shine at the Nou Camp.

Madrid eye Bellerin

17:32: Arsenal star Hector Bellerin is reportedly wanted by La Liga and Champions League holders Real Madrid.

Arsenal defender Bellerin was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona over the summer, with many expecting the youngster to depart.

However, Ernesto Valverde’s side instead opted to sign Nelson Semedo from Benfica instead, with Arsenal pricing the Catalan giants out of a move.

But Spanish outlet Don Balon say that Bellerin is now tickling the fancy of Florentino Perez over at Real Madrid.

Barcelona exits

15:52: Barcelona are keen to offload Paco Alcacer, Arda Turan and Rafinha, according to Spanish publication Sport.

Ernesto Valverde is keen to strengthen his squad in January but must free up some space in his squad before signing new talent.

And the three aforementioned players will reportedly be allowed leave the Nou Camp with the club ready to listen to offers.

Barca's final Coutinho bid

13.10: Barcelona are set to make a final attempt to sign Philippe Coutinho in the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

Mundo Deportivo claims agent Kia Joorabchian has been appointed as an intermediary between the two sides.

And Barca plan to submit an offer similar to their final bid of £100million in the hope of it being reconsidered.

They are unwilling to raise their bid as Coutinho would be ineligible to play for them in the Champions League if he signed.

'Conte will be sacked before Christmas'

Ozil odds-on for United move

11.10: Manchester United are now odds-on with Ladbrokes to be Mesut Ozil's next club.

The Arsenal midfielder is 10/11 to swap the Emirates for Old Trafford and a January move is looking increasingly likely, with 3/4 on offer for the German ace to jump ships when the winter transfer window opens.

Ozil was 2/1 to leave in January less than two weeks ago - but reports suggesting the World Cup winners wants out of North London have forced the bookies to slash those odds considerably.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "With contract talks continuing to stall at Arsenal, it's now looking increasingly likely that Wenger will cash in on his German playmaker in the coming months."

"But if the latest odds are anything to go by, a decision to sell Ozil to United may result in an increase in sales of 'Wenger Out' banners during the second half of the season."

Neymar exit talk

09.40: Xavi has revealed Neymar told him he wanted to leave at Lionel Messi’s wedding.

Neymar joined PSG for a world record transfer fee in the summer.

"He said to us at Messi's wedding that he wanted to change," the former Barca star told the BBC World Service.

"I said to him: 'But, why?' [He said] 'I'm not happy in Barcelona, I prefer [to] go out, to have a new experience at Paris Saint-Germain. Finally, it was his decision. We must respect it."

Arsenal want Reus

08.25: Arsenal remain in the hunt for Marco Reus, but Borrusia Dortmund are confident of getting him to sign a new deal.

The Sun claim Arsenal and United are monitoring Reus’ situation with his contract up in 2019.

But Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc thinks he will stay.

Speaking to Kicker, he said: "We see Marco with us in the long run."

Real regret not doing Bale deal

07.35: Real Madrid reportedly regret not selling Gareth Bale to Manchester United this summer.

United were keen on the Wales star and Jose Mourinho publicly opened the door for him ahead of the European Super Cup.

But Bale stayed put and has continued to struggle this season.

And Diario Gol claim Madrid now regret not pushing for the sale and will try and move him onto United in the future.

Mesut Ozil confident of joining United

05:30: Mesut Ozil is reportedly confident he will be leaving Arsenal to join back up with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Ozil looks increasingly likely to leave Arsenal before the end of the season with contract talks not ongoing.

He could leave for free in the summer but Arsene Wenger publicly admitted last week the club could look to cash in during the January transfer window.

And The Mirror claim the Germany international is ready to push through a deal to join United.

It is claimed Ozil has already told his Arsenal team-mates that he will be moving to Old Trafford to reunite with Jose Mourinho.

Thursday October 19

Matthijs de Ligt to Barcelona

20:54: Barcelona want to sign Matthijs de Ligt in January.

Ajax youngster De Ligt is reportedly their No 1 target for the winter transfer window.

Munro Deportivo claim the 18-year-old centre-back is being closely monitored by Barca scouts.

And that is despite the fact Palmeiras’ Yerry Mina is expected to arrive at the club in the New Year.

Ruddy reveals Chelsea snub

18:46: John Ruddy has explained why he rejected a chance to join Chelsea four years ago.

Wolves goalkeeper Ruddy was at Norwich at the time when the Blues came knocking.

He told Express Sport: “There’s nothing I regret, but hindsight is a wonderful thing and you’d probably do things differently.

“I had the chance to leave Norwich and go to Chelsea (in the summer of 2013) but at that time of my career, I was really happy at Norwich.

“I was playing week in, week out, I was involved in the England squad and I didn’t feel there was any need for me to move.

“I thought my development was coming on well and I wasn’t sure what the plan would have been for me at Chelsea or what the game time would have been like.

“I know in my heart of hearts that it was the right decision at the time but then you look back at that season. I thought I played well that year. I had 12 clean sheets, but unfortunately we got relegated and I didn’t make the World Cup squad.

“You look back on it and think: ‘Did I miss an opportunity?’ but these things happen. You make your decisions on a feeling, not just on a professional level, but a personal level as well. Me and my family were extremely happy and settled.

“And having been at Everton for five years but never really been there because I went out on loan so much (to nine different clubs in five seasons), a settled base at Norwich and playing every week was more important to me than going somewhere just to be associated with a massive club.

“A lot of people would say I was crazy, but it was right for me at the time. I was 26 at the time Chelsea came in and still relatively young.”

Wilson to Reading?

18:20: Jaap Stam has admitted Reading have a long-term interest in Manchester United striker James Wilson.

The Royals and Championship rivals Leeds United have been linked with loan moves for the 21-year-old striker in the January transfer window. 

“I know about it and we already spoke about him in June,” the Reading boss said at a press conference. “But at the moment there is nothing in that.

“I’m not going to name names, but we are looking at players. We’re looking at the team, how we are set up and asking whether we need to do anything and bring in players in certain areas.”

New Phil Jones contract

17:51: Manchester United have opened talks with Phil Jones over a new contract.

Manchester United defender Jones has been an first-team regular in Jose Mourinho’s side since the manager arrived at the club last year.

He was praised by the boss last season after rushing back from an injury to help out the team during a defensive crisis.

And United are ready to reward Jones for his commitment to the Red Devils cause, claim ESPN.

Embalo to Man Utd

17:00: Manchester United are interested in 16-year-old Benfica forward Umaro Embalo, according to the Press Association.

Jose Mourinho's men secured a narrow 1-0 win against the Portuguese giants at the Estadio da Luz in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

Earlier in the day United went toe-to-toe with Benfica's Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League, with the feisty encounter ending 2-2 at the Caixa Futebol Campus.

Javier Ribalta, one of United's chief scouts, was among the interested observers in Seixal, where Embalo came on as a 65th-minute substitute.

Ayling's Leeds deal

16:00: Leeds United have handed Luke Ayling a four-year contract extension.

Ayling, 26, joined Leeds from Bristol City in the summer transfer window of 2016.

He is the only Whites player to start every game this season under new boss Thomas Christiansen.

Ayling said: “Buzzing to have extended my stay at this great club.

“Hope I can help get this club back to where it belongs.”

Ramires to Inter

15:33: Former Chelsea midfielder Ramires is set to return to Europe from his stint in China - but he won’t be heading to the Blues.

Chelsea sold Ramires to Jiangsu Suning for around £40million in the winter of 2016.

The deal was one of the first big-money moves from the Premier League to the Chinese Super League, with Oscar following 12 months later.

But less than two years into his stint in the Far East, Ramires is said to be keen on returning to European football.

And Inter Milan, who are owned by Jiangsu’s owners the Suning Group, have been linked with his signature.

The January transfer window is Europe’s mid-season window, but in China it’s their main pre-season period in which their big deals get done.

Benzema to Arsenal denied

13:10: Karim Benzema’s agent has dismissed reports linking the Real Madrid striker with a move to Arsenal.

Last month, Benzema appeared to commit his long-term future to the Bernabeu when he signed a new four-year deal but reports in Spain claimed Arsenal had made an offer for him to sign in January.

"Karim Benzema is very happy at Real Madrid," Karim Djaziri told Sky Sports News.

"He signed a contract extension last month and has absolutely no intention of leaving the club."

Barca scout Kane and Matial

11.25: Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has been scouting Anthony Martial and Harry Kane ahead of a potential summer double deal.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo claim Fernandez was in attendance at the Bernabeu this week to watch Kane in the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid.

And he is said to have hotfooted it to Portugal last night to run the rule over Martial in Manchester United’s the 1-0 win over Benfica.

Mundo Deportivo claim Martial is of particular interest to Barca as he could fill the void on the left side of attack following Neymar’s switch to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Spanish outlet thinks the Frenchman would be open to a move to the Nou Camp as he is not a first-choice player under Jose Mourinho.

Mbappe wanted Barca move

11.15: Kylian Mbappe wanted to join Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.

Mbappe joined PSG on loan from Monaco this summer despite Real Madrid looking in the driving seat.

The France star has had a sensational start to the season with four goals in eight games.

But Cadena Cope, a Spanish radio station, claiming Mbappe actually wanted to join Barcelona.

Nainggolan boost

10.00: Radja Nainggolan has given the Blues hope of a future transfer by admitting he wants to play in the Premier League.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Nainggolan ever since Antonio Conte’s appointment as Blues boss in 2016.

The Italian admitted this week he had attempted to sign the midfielder in the past, calling him “one of the best” in the world.

Blues fans got to see first-hand why Conte has been chasing the Belgium international as he starred in Roma’s 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge last night.

And speaking after the Champions League clash, the 29-year-old offered hope of a future move to west London, admitting he would play in the Premier League.

When asked for his impressions of playing at Stamford Bridge, Nainggolan said: “Yeah, good atmosphere.

“Thank you [to Conte] for the words, but at the end of the day we’re playing against each other and I have to do my job.

“I think he’s a really good coach because his results over the past few years speak for themselves.

“But in the end I have to do what I have to do, and that’s playing for Roma and giving the maximum for Roma.”

Thomas Lemar boost

08.45: Liverpool have had a boost in their pursuit of Thomas Lemar with Bayern Munich pulling out of the race, according to reports.

Lemar was wanted by both Liverpool and Arsenal in the summer and they are expected to try again for the France star.

And it could be a straight battle between the Premier League sides with Bayern ending their interest.

Monaco chief Vadim Vasilyev has admitted he is likely to move on in the summer.

"Definitely next summer will be something to look at, although you know in football there are no guarantees," said Vasilyev.

"We had some players who were supposed to leave this summer but didn't leave because of X, Y, Z. I think it would be fair to say Thomas will have a fair chance to an exit next year.”

New Jones deal

08.30: Manchester United are looking to tie Phil Jones down to a new contract, according to ESPN.

Jones has impressed in the heart of United’s defence this season.

And Jose Mourinho wants to get him signed up for longer.

His current deal runs out in 2019 and United hope to agree a new long-term deal with the England defender.

Sanchez and Ozil committed

08.00: Per Mertesacker insists Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are committed to Arsenal.

Both players are out of contract in the summer and expected to leave.

Arsenal could even lose both in January rather than for nothing in the summer.

But the club captain insists they are fighting for the team despite underwhelming starts to the season.

When Mertesacker was asked if he felt Ozil and Sanchez were fully committed to Arsenal, he replied: "Yes. Everyone has to do his job 100 per cent otherwise they are not eligible to be on the pitch.

"As long as everyone understands that then we are fine and you won't get problems from me. If I have a different feeling then it would be addressed."

Barca eye Spurs duo

07.30: Barcelona are monitoring Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen.

Mundo Deportivo claim Barca had the pair watched during Tottenham’s game with Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Both players have impressed for Tottenham after they finished second last year and third the year before.

And Kane looks to have gone to a new level this season, with five Champions League goals from three games and six in the Premier League already.

Spurs are determined to keep hold of their prized assets and reports earlier this week claimed they would demand more than £200m to part with Kane.

However Kane is happy in north London and is more likely to stay at this stage.

Reading want Wilson

07.15: Reading are in the hunt for Manchester United striker James Wilson.

Wilson looks set to go out on loan in January after recovering form injury.

When asked about the Wilson link, Stam said: “I know about it and we already spoke about him in June. But at the moment there is nothing in that.

“I’m not going to name names, but we are looking at players. We’re looking at the team, how we are set up and asking whether we need to do anything and bring in players in certain areas.

“So yes, we are looking at certain players who can improve the team and add extra quality to the squad. But that’s not going to be easy because clubs don’t want to sell their best players in January.

“Even now we are working hard and making contact, but that’s up to me. I’m only saying what I would like to see happen in terms of what we need to do.

“It’s up to Ron Gourlay (chief executive) and Brian Tevreden (sporting director) now in how they approach it.

“The fact we are always talking about the team, players and what to do means there is a budget there.”