Barcelona transfer round-up: Neymar reportedly confirms Manchester United transfer, Perez wants Barca's future star and more
Neymar tells friends about Manchester United transfer
Barcelona superstar Neymar has talked up a potential summer move to Manchester United with his close friends, according to reports from Don Balon. Neymar is yet to agree a new deal with the Catalan side and is considering a summer switch to Old Trafford, reports Daily Record.
Neymar has a release clause of €175 million in his contract and the Brazilian believes Manchester United are ready to smash the world record fee to sign him next season. The Red Devils’ manager, Jose Mourinho, is certain to start the new season without Zlatan Ibrahimovic and wants to add enough attacking options before the start of 2017/18 campaign.
Neymar is not the only high-profile attacker linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer. The likes of Antoine Griezmann, Andrea Belotti, Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku are on Mourinho’s shortlist and the former Chelsea manager is expected to splash over €250m to bring back the glory days at Manchester United.
PSG want Mascherano
PSG are interested in signing Barcelona’s out of favour defender Javier Mascherano, according to the latest reports from Le 10 Sport. Mundo Deportivo recently reported that the Argentine is no longer among the most important players at Camp Nou and is on the transfer list this summer.
Le 10 Sport are convinced that PSG’s sporting director Patrick Kluivert (a former Barca hero) has already held talks with his former club to ensure Mascherano signs for PSG this summer. Jeremy Mathieu, Andre Gomes, Arda Turan and Denis Suarez are also expected to be sold ahead of next season as part of the massive summer clearout.
Thiago snubs a return to Camp Nou
Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara has agreed a new deal with Bayern Munich to keep him at the club until 2021. Mundo Deportivo were certain of Thiago returning to Camp Nou as the long-term replacement for Xavi and Andres Iniesta, however, the 26-year-old has decided to pledge his future to the German Champions.
Thiago joined Bayern in 2013 when former Barca manager, Pep Guardiola, was in charge of the club, and since signing for the German club he has been a key figure in their midfield. Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti has slapped a €90m fee on the former Barcelona man.
After Thiago’s snub, Barcelona’s only option of signing a world class midfielder is PSG’s Marco Verratti, who has reportedly verbally agreed to join Camp Nou this summer.
Real Madrid want La Masia’s Cucurella
Real Madrid are reportedly hoping to sign Barcelona youngster Marc Cucurella this summer, according to reports from Don Balon. The 18-year-old is tipped for a bright future after coming through the ranks at Barca’s La Masia.
However, Cucurella’s future is in doubt with his current deal expiring this summer. If Don Balon are to be believed, the 18-year-old has already rejected the chance to extend his stay at Camp Nou, with interest from Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s club president Florentino Perez is certain to make an attempt to prise him away from the Camp Nou at the end of the season and expects to sign the highly rated defender on a free transfer.