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Transfer news & rumours: Man Utd given backing for Neymar bid


Man Utd given backing to chase Neymar


Manchester United will be given the financial backing to pursue Paris Saint-Germain attacker Neymar, Don Balon reports.

Jose Mourinho's side are sponsored by American car company Chevrolet, who believe the world's most expensive player would help their profile in Europe and Asia if he were to be signed by the Old Trafford side, and as such are ready to fund a mammoth move for him.

The Portuguese, meanwhile, is said to be "more than happy" with the idea, but Real Madrid are also hovering.

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Hey, big spenders!


Laporte, Coutinho, Aubameyang

The January transfer window has slammed shut, and it was another busy one for leading clubs around the world.

Goal has pieced together a breakdown of the 20 most expensive deals done, which can be found here.

We also have a list of the top-spending clubs, and that can be viewed here.


Mahrez misses training again


Riyad Mahrez, Leicester CityGetty

Riyad Mahrez did not turn up for Leicester City training on Thursday due to his ongoing frustration with the Foxes denying him a move to Man City, according to Sky Sports News.

City were rebuffed in their efforts to sign the Algeria international on deadline day, with Leicester demanding £95m for the attacker. 

After handing in a transfer request to force through a move, Mahrez is reportedly "depressed" as his strike continues.


Juventus in for Tah


HD Jonathan TahGetty

Juventus will move for Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Jonathan Tah in the summer, according to Sport Bild.

The 21-year-old Germany international is highly rated and has a bargain €25 million release clause that can be activated following the 2017-18 season.

The Italian champions are looking to bring in a new generation behind aging centre-backs Giorgio Chiellini (33) and Andrea Barzagli (36).


Madrid turned down Aubameyang


Aubameyang Arsenal Premier LeagueGetty Images

Arsenal were given a free pass to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign the player, Gol Digital reports.

Los Blancos might have signed the player for €55 million - significantly less than the €65m Arsenal paid - but they were left cold by the way the Gabon international striker pushed his way out of Dortmund. 


Ozil snubbed Barca, PSG and Man Utd


Mesut Ozil Arsenal

Mesut Ozil turned down Manchester United, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain to pen a new contract at Arsenal, reports Sport Bild.

The Gunners are yet to confirm the penning of fresh terms, but Goal revealed on Wednesday that the German is set to commit to a deal through to 2021.


Mahrez a summer target for Man City


Riyad Mahrez Leicester City WatfordGetty

Pep Guardiola has suggested that Manchester City will go back in for Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez over the summer.

Goal revealed on Tuesday that Mahrez had emerged as a late window target for the Premier League leaders, with a £60 million offer tabled, but they were ultimately put off by the Foxes' demands.

Read the full story on Goal.


Risky business


Jurgen Klopp, LiverpoolGetty

Goal's Liverpool correspondent, Melissa Reddy, believes Jurgen Klopp's transfer waiting game following the sale of Philippe Coutinho is a risky business.

The Reds are lighter on quality, creativity and final-third production after not bringing in anyone as cover, with centre-back Virgil van Dijk the only addition made at Anfield.

Check out the full story here.


Barca plot Griezmann swap deal


Antoine Griezmann Atletico MadridGetty Images

Barcelona are prepared to offer Andre Gomes in a part-exchange deal for Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann, according to Diario Gol.

The Catalan giants remain keen in bolstering their attacking ranks and will press ahead with a move for the France international in the summer.


Galaxy star dreaming of adding Ibra


Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Man Utd v Brighton, 17/18Getty Images

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is “one of the best strikers in history” and has those at the LA Galaxy daring to dream of a MLS move, says Giovani dos Santos.

The enigmatic frontman is being heavily linked with a switch to America as a short-term contract at Manchester United runs down.

Read the full story on Goal.


Meyer to make future call


Max Meyer Schalke 04Getty

Schalke midfielder Max Meyer is to make a decision on his future in the coming days, reports Bild, with a new contract having been put to him.

Arsenal and Barcelona are among those reported to be keen on the 22-year-old Germany international and will be keeping a close eye on developments.


Giroud only wanted Chelsea


Olivier Giroud ChelseaGetty/Goal

Olivier Giroud says he wanted “Chelsea and nowhere else” after completing an £18 million deadline day transfer from Arsenal.

The France international has said of his move to Stamford Bridge: “I wanted to sign for Chelsea and nowhere else. I really wanted to play more. I wanted to stay in the Premier League, and Chelsea for me is perfect because I can even stay in London.

“But the first reason is the sporting challenge. That has always been my first priority. Everything is here for me to be happy.”

Read the full story on Goal.


Nobody called Mertens


Dries Mertens NapoliGetty Images

Napoli forward Dries Mertens generated talk of interest from England and China prior to the winter deadline, but maintains that he received no offers.

The Belgium international was linked with Arsenal and Manchester United before the January window closed.

Read the full story on Goal.


Arsenal's late bid for Evans laughed off


Jonny Evans West Brom Premier LeagueGetty Images

Arsenal's late attempt to sign West Brom centre-back Jonny Evans was laughed off by the Baggies, according to the Daily Mail.

The Gunners reportedly only bid £12 million for the 30-year-old, which was half of what West Brom were asking for the Northern Ireland international. 


Winners and losers of the transfer window


Alexis Sanchez, Virgil van Dijk, CoutinhoGetty

Goal's Mark Doyle has put together a list of the biggest winners and losers of the recently completed January transfer window. 

Did Arsenal, Barcelona, Jose Mourinho and Liverpool end up in the winners or losers category? Read the article here to find out!


Barca target Alaba for the summer


David Alaba, Bayern Munich, 17/18Getty Images

Bayern Munich defender David Alaba is on Barcelona's summer wish-list, according to AS .

According to the report, Barcelona technical secretary Robert Fernandez has asked president Josep Maria Bartomeu to find the funds to sign the Austria international.

The Catalan side are long-term admirers of the 25-year-old, who can play left-back, centre-back and in the midfield. 


Mahrez could go on strike at Leicester


Riyad Mahrez Leicester CityGetty Images

Riyad Mahrez is furious that Leicester City denied him a deadline-day move to Manchester City, according to the Mirror .

Mahrez is threatening to go on strike and never play for the Foxes again after the club placed a £95 million valuation on his head, denying him the move to City he desired.

A friend of the Foxes star said he was “depressed” over the collapse of his transfer. 


Man Utd wanted permanent Blind move to Roma 


Daley Blind Manchester UnitedGetty Images

Manchester United killed Daley Blind's deadline-day move to Roma after the Red Devils insisted that the deal be a permanent one, according to Express .

Roma were only interested in a loan for the Netherlands international, who has fallen down United's depth chart this season.


Mangala joins Everton on loan


Eliaquim Mangala Manchester CityGetty Images

Manchester City centre-back Eliaquim Mangala has joined Everton on loan for the rest of the season

The arrival of Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao made Mangala expendable, and the 26-year-old heads to Merseyside in search of more playing time. 

Read the full story on Goal!


Slimani joins Newcastle on loan


Islam Slimani Leicester CityGetty Images

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Islam Slimani from Leicester City on loan until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old striker was Leicester's club-record signing, with the Foxes paying Sporting CP nearly £28 million for the Algerian in 2016.

But Slimani has seen his playing time diminish since Leicester hired Claude Puel as manager in October 2017.

Read the full story on Goal!


West Ham win Hugill race


Jordan Hugill, Preston North EndDan Istitene

West Ham have confirmed the signing of striker Jordan Hugill from Championship side Preston North End.

The 25-year-old has signed on a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee after being subject to interest from multiple Premier League sides. 

Read the full story on Goal!


Moreno moves to Sociedad


Hector Moreno MexicoAdam Nurkiewicz

Mexico center back Hector Moreno has ended a rough stint at Roma and made the move to La Liga side Real Sociedad. 

Moreno earned just 317 minutes in six matches across all competitions after moving to Roma in the summer and has returned to Spain in search of playing time ahead of the World Cup this summer. 

Read the full story on Goal!


Giroud facing another top-four fight


Olivier Giroud Chelsea BournemouthGetty Images

After watching his new side lose 3-0 to Bournemouth, it appears that Chelsea signing Olivier Giroud's situation hasn't changed much. 

As Goal ' s Nizaar Kinsella writes, Giroud has "moved from one London club that been content with a top-four finish and a good cup run for years to another with similarly declining ambitions."

Read the full story on Goal!


Ayew returns to Swansea


Andre Ayew West Ham UnitedGetty Images

Andre Ayew has returned to Swansea City in a club-record deal from West Ham.

The Swans paid a reported £18 million for Ayew's services just 18 months after the Ghana international departed the club to sign with the Hammers.

Ayew will have the chance to play alongside younger brother Jordan, who is in his second season with the Swans after joining from Aston Villa in 2017. 

Read the full story on Goal!


Real Madrid target admits Inter talks


Lautaro Martinez Argentina U20

Racing Club wonderkid Lautaro Martinez has admitted his agents are in talks over a move to Inter, despite interest from Real Madrid.

The 20-year-old was previously close to a move to Atletico Madrid, and has stressed that he will make the final decision on his own future. 

Read the full story on Goal!


Stoke seal €16m Ndiaye move 


Badou Ndiaye Stoke City

Stoke City have completed the signing of midfielder Badou Ndiaye from Galatasaray for a fee of €16 million.

The 27-year-old Senegal international made 17 league appearances for Galatasaray this season, scoring one goal and adding three assists. 

Read the full story on Goal!


Madrid offer €35m plus Kovacic for Paredes


Leandro Paredes ArgentinaGetty Images

Real Madrid have made a €35 million offer for Zenit St Petersburg star Leandro Paredes, says Argentine newspaper  Clarin .

The 23-year-old Argentine midfielder has attracted interest from Juventus since impressing in Russia after making a €27m move from Roma last summer 

Madrid have offered a big fee plus Mateo Kovacic in exchange for Paredes, but the former is apparently hesitant to move to Russia.


Griezmann tops Barca list 


Antoine Griezmann Atletico MadridGetty Images

Barcelona have made Antoine Griezmann their top transfer target for the summer as they grow concerned over the strength of their European rivals,  Mundo Deportivo   reports.

The Catalan side are already making plans for future transfer windows and dream of pairing France star Griezmann with Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Philippe Coutinho, but will have a tough time convincing Atletico Madrid to let him go.

But with the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City set to continue adding to their squads for next season, Barca are hoping to lure more big names to Camp Nou.


Bayern enter Pulisic picture


Christian Pulisic Borussia DortmundGetty Images

Bayern Munich have identified Christian Pulisic as a potential replacement for Franck Ribery or Arjen Robben but face tough competition to sign him, Sport Bild reports.

The German side could lose one of their star wingers at the end of the season as their contracts are yet to be renewed, and see United States international Pulisic as a good option to boost their attack.

But Borussia Dortmund have already set a price of €45 million for the 19-year-old and do not want to sell him, but he has already attracted interest from Manchester United.

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