Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd £86m hijack, Liverpool target Spanish star, £273m Neymar plan

Transfer news LIVE - all the latest rumours and gossip coming out of Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Posted Friday, November 01, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Chris Smalling talks

Roma have opened talks with Manchester United over a deal for Chris Smalling.

Smalling arrived at Roma on a season-long loan but after just six appearances - the Italian club have seen enough to make the deal permanent.

The Serie A side do not have a purchase option for the 29-year-old centre-back.

But have already held talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and are ready to make an opening bid of £8.6million.

Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd £86m hijack, Liverpool target Spanish star, £273m Neymar plan
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

Ivan Rakitic trio

Three Italian clubs are looking to snap up Ivan Rakitic.

That’s according to Calciomercato, who claim Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus are all expressing interest in the Croatia international.

The 31-year-old is expected to leave Barcelona in January having fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp.

Manchester United had previously been linked with Rakitic, though it’s unclear whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are still interested.

Erling Haaland bid

Juventus are set to make the first move in the battle to sign Erling Haaland.

The RB Salzburg star has racked up 21 goals in 14 matches for the Austrian club, including six goals in three Champions League fixtures.

And his exploits have seen several European giants including Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United linked with his signature.

However, Gazzetta dello Sport claim Juventus have entered the race and are preparing a £35million offer.

Wanted: Ramos Mingo

Barcelona are interested in signing Boca Juniors defender Ramos Mingo.

That’s according to AS, who claim Barcelona’s head of youth development Jose Maria Bakero has contacted the player’s agent.

The 17-year-old centre-back hasn’t made a senior appearance for the Argentine outfit, but was involved in their pre-season preparations and is expected to make the step up in the near future.

The report claim Boca Juniors have offered Mingo a professional contract - but the teenager is stalling while he weighs up his options.

Jadon Sancho battle

Manchester United will reportedly face competition from Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City for the signing of Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho.

United are understood to be interested in completing a move for the forward, but Guardiola reportedly wants the 19-year-old back at the Etihad.

SportBild report that United are not the only team “very interested” in the England star with their Manchester rivals providing unexpected competition.

Though Sancho won’t come cheap with the publication saying he will cost in excess of £86million.

Mario Mandzukic fee

Manchester United will have to pay considerably less for Mario Mandzukic than originally expected.

That’s the claim from Italian website Calciomercato, who claim the player will be available for £4.5million in the January transfer window.

Mandzukic, 33, hasn’t featured under Maurizio Sarri and has been deemed surplus to requirements.

The Red Devils were previously thought to have been asked for £9m for the Croatia international’s signature but Juventus are eager to clear his wages.

However, the report continues to say that United are willing to meet his salary demands, but are unwilling to pay a fee.

Ferran Torres wanted

Liverpool have reportedly entered the race to sign Ferran Torres, with both Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona chasing his signature.

Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firming and Sadio Mane are all-but immovable from the starting line-up, but it seems Liverpool are considering bringing in at least one reinforcement up top.

According to SportBild, Liverpool are monitoring Torres who has impressed since breaking through at Valencia.

However, the report adds both Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona are also interested in the teenager’s signature.

And Valencia would d reportedly be interested in listening to offers in the region of £17million.

Neymar whip-round

Gerard Pique has revealed that he and his Barcelona colleagues offered to restructure their wages to engineer Neymar’s return last summer.

The Catalan giants were heavily linked with the Brazilian superstar, who made it public that he wanted a return to the Nou Camp.

However, PSG’s £273million asking price proved too much.

"We didn't stump up money,” Pique told El Larguero. “What we said to the president was whether we could change our contracts because we knew there was a Financial Fair Play issue... so we said to the president, rather than earn something in year one, we could earn it in year two or three or four.”