Transfer Talk: Barca want Neves in swap deal with Wolves
Shaka Hislop discusses Lionel Messi returning to Barcelona after Vice President Eduard Romeu said it would be possible next summer. (1:39)
The summer transfer window is closed for the major leagues in Europe. However, with an eye on January, there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!
Barcelona have made Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves their top target for next summer, according to the Sunday Mirror, and they’re prepared to offer one or two of their young players in order to secure the transfer of the 25-year-old Portugal international.
Barca are looking for an heir to Sergio Busquets in midfield, with the 34-year-old out of contract next June. Neves is unwilling to commit himself to Wolves beyond the 2024 expiration of his current deal, and has previously stated that Barca is his dream move.
Wolves, currently struggling in the Premier League‘s relegation places after a 2-0 defeat against West Ham United, face a decision of whether they allow the former FC Porto man to run down his contract and risk losing him on a free transfer in 18 months. If they are to negotiate his departure, however, they’ll seek a fee of around £50m.
That will likely be difficult for the Catalan club given their precarious financial situation, but Barca believe they can negotiate that price down by including one or two of their younger players moving the opposite direction either on loan or permanently. Wolves also believe there is interest from other clubs, including Arsenal, but that Neves would be more interested in a move to LaLiga after five years in England.
13.20 BST: Paris Saint-Germain have Dusan Vlahovic on a shortlist of future transfer targets, reports Tuttosport.
Vlahovic, 22, joined Juventus from Fiorentina in January and has scored 11 goals in 21 Serie appearances for the Old Lady — including four in six games this season.
The Serbia international moved to Juve for a transfer fee in the region of €80m and would not be a cheap signing for PSG.
12.26 BST: Newcastle United have handed young star Elliot Anderson a bumper new contract to secure his long-term future.
The Sun on Sunday reports that the 19-year-old has been given a deal worth £30,000-a-week after breaking into the first team this season.
Anderson excelled on loan at Bristol Rovers in League Two last season, and Magpies boss Eddie Howe is confident the midfielder can make the step up to the Premier League.
11.32 BST: Sport Mediaset in Italy reports that Manchester United made an approach for Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli in the summer.
The report states that Locatelli, 24, was Erik ten Hag’s original transfer target, but the midfielder made it clear he would not be leaving Turin. United then made a failed attempt to sign Locatelli’s teammate, Adrien Rabiot.
On Friday, Calciomercato reported that Juve are now willing to let the Italy international leave in Janaury, with Arsenal linked.
10.40 BST: Newcastle United announced the signing of Australian forward Garang Kuol from Central Coast Mariners on Saturday.
Even though the 18-year-old won’t officially become a Newcastle player until January, he has wasted no time ingratiating himself with the fans by watching yesterday’s 4-1 win at Fulham with the fans.
📸 Garang Kuol is in with the #NUFC fans at Craven Cottage this afternoon! 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/tFv447MENT
09.47 BST: Valencia and Osasuna will be hit in the pocket if they field Nico Gonzalez or Abde Ezzalzouli in matches against Barcelona this season, sources have told ESPN’s Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens.
Barca sent Nico and Abde on loan to Valencia and Osasuna respectively in the summer but included a clause to deter both sides from using the players when they face Xavi Hernandez’s side. If Valencia use Nico or Osasuna pick Abde when they meet Barca, they will have to pay an additional charge on top of what they have already agreed in terms of the loan fee and salary contribution.
It represents a change in stance from Barca, who historically have not included such clauses — known as the “fear clause” in Spain — or prevented loaned players from playing against them.
09.00 BST: The Star on Sunday reports that Manchester City are already considering offering Erling Haaland a bumper new contract after his fantastic start to life at the Etihad.
Haaland, 22, joined City from Borussia Dortmund in a €60m deal in the summer and has already plundered 11 goals in seven Premier League games.
The report says that Haaland is already the club’s joint-highest earner with Kevin De Bruyne, earning £375,000 a week. And he is now set to be paid even more.
– Liverpool and Chelsea are set to battle it out for Colombia wonderkid Jhon Duran, 18, from MLS side Chicago Fire FC, according to The Sun. The speedy forward has impressed in his first season in Chicago and is expected to be available for a transfer fee of around £10m.
– Ukraine winger Mykhailo Mudryk was set for a move to England last summer from Shakhtar Donetsk, but The Sun reports that Nice now lead the race for his signature ahead of Brentford and Arsenal. The French Riviera club are willing to offer a £25m transfer fee plus add-ons to bring the 21-year-old to Ligue 1, although Shakhtar want a fee of almost double that figure. Much depends on how the Ukrainian club fare in the Champions League, with failure to get out of their group likely to reduce the figure — and Mudryk’s inclination to stay.
– Manchester United are considering a January move for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos, according to Portuguese outlet Jornal de Noticias. Ramos has scored eight goals and added six assists in 12 matches so far this season, and is contracted until 2025. United believe they can tempt the 21-year-old to Old Trafford in January, but will have to fend off competition from Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Newcastle United.
– AC Milan, West Ham United and Atletico Madrid are all keen on 23-year-old winger Noa Lang, according to Calciomercato. Club Brugge had already given him the green light to leave the club in the summer, and as such they received a bid of £18m from Lille, but the Netherlands international opted to stay in hopes of attracting the attention of one of Europe’s bigger clubs.
– Arsenal have expressed an interest in signing Bayer Leverkusen centre-back Piero Hincapie, according to Calciomercato. The 20-year-old Ecuador international joined the Bundesliga side last season, making 27 appearances in his first campaign, and Die Werkself would be willing to sanction his departure for a €25m transfer fee. Arsenal lead the chase for Hincapie’s signature, but they face competition from AC Milan, Napoli and AS Roma.