Transfer news LIVE: Neymar to Barcelona, Man Utd decision, Real Madrid and Chelsea plots

TRANSFER NEWS LIVE is here with the very latest gossip and done deals as the summer window keeps football fans across the world enthralled.

Posted Monday, August 19, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Transfer news LIVE: Sunday August 18

· Barcelona have come up with a new way to sign Neymar having already spent most of their summer transfer budget
· Alexis Sanchez has opted to reject the chance to leave Manchester United for a fresh start in Serie A with Roma

· Nou Camp chiefs have actively plotted to stop arch-rivals Real Madrid beating them to a top summer target

· Chelsea could soon get the chance to offload a Stamford Bridge misfit with Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco circling

Neymar loan?

Paris Saint-Germain are not opposed to letting Neymar leave on loan with an obligation to buy.

Goal claim that the French club are open to the idea as Neymar looks to engineer a Parc des Princes exit in the coming weeks.

PSG would demand a clause that means the deal must become permanent, provided they sanctioned an initial loan.

The Ligue 1 champions would be looking to recoup between £201m and £228m for the player, it is claimed.

That opens the floor for both Barcelona and Real Madrid to seek a potential deal before the window closes.

Eric Bailly contract

Manchester United want Eric Bailly to pen a contract extension.

The Sun say United want to sit down with the Ivorian to activate the two-year extension available in his contract.

The centre-back is out for the foreseeable future with a knee injury.

But Bailly is out of contract this coming summer and United do not want to lose him on a free.

Transfer news LIVE: Neymar to Barcelona, Man Utd decision, Real Madrid and Chelsea plots

Coutinho to be Bundesliga's 'best'

Philippe Coutinho will be the best player in Germany.

That's the verdict of Marko Grujic, the Hertha Berlin midfielder.

Grujic is on loan in the German capital from Liverpool, where he was team-mates with Coutinho.

And he thinks the Brazilian will be excellent when he joins Bayern Munich on loan from Barcelona.

"It's a big deal for the whole Bundesliga that we now have the opportunity to see Coutinho," Grujic told Sport Bild.

"He is a special, exciting player, capable of crazy things. He has incredible tricks and skills. I enjoyed every training session with him.

"He will be the best footballer in Germany by far."

Transfer news LIVE: Neymar to Barcelona, Man Utd decision, Real Madrid and Chelsea plots

Ousmane Dembele decides future

Ousmane Dembele has personally informed Thomas Tuchel he does not want to join Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The fleet-footed French World Cup winner is in Toucher’s sights as PSG prepare to wave goodbye to Neymar.

However, La Parisien report Dembele has made it clear he is not interested in leaving Barcelona to return to his homeland.

Barcelona chiefs are keen to keep hold of the winger, so PSG’s hopes of getting him on board appear to be over.

Transfer news LIVE: Ousmane Dembele has no interest in joining Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona

Why Man Utd did not sign striker

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted against replacing Romelu Lukaku because of his belief in Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Lukaku jumped ship for Inter Milan just before the Premier League transfer window shut after a summer of hinting he wanted out.

United had looked at Mauro Icardi, Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic as potential options to beef up their forward line.

However, The Sun claim Solskjaer was happy to put his faith in Rashford and Martial instead because he can see their partnership blossoming.

Transfer news LIVE: Manchester United sold Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan this month

Real Madrid create Christian Eriksen plot

Real Madrid are hoping to make the most of Daniel Levy’s reluctance to lose players on free transfers by making a late move for Christian Eriksen.

The Sun report the La Liga giants are preparing to slap in a £60m bid just before the European transfer window shuts on September 2.

Real hope that will convince Levy to do business, rather than have to see Eriksen walk away for nothing next summer.

Real supposedly plan to follow up their capture of Eriksen by including Luka Modric in a part-exchange deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar.

Transfer news LIVE: Real Madrid are planning to raid Tottenham for Christian Eriksen

Man Utd rejection explained

Why Christian Pulisic opted to join Chelsea over Manchester United has been explained by his former Brackley Town youth coach Robin Walker.

"I’m a Chelsea fan, I grew up in London supporting them," Walker said. "When I was in Dortmund last year, I told him that he had to come.

"He wouldn’t go to Manchester United because of Jose Mourinho. His father couldn’t stand Mourinho, because he didn’t promote young players.

"It was at that point I asked: ‘What about London? That’s where it’s at. I was trying to sell the city. His agent agreed, saying: ‘When you make these decisions, it’s all about investment and property.’ I was delighted that he did sign."

Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic turned his back on a move to Manchester United

Celtic transfers prediction

Former Celtic star Chris Sutton can see Neil Lennon dipping back into the transfer market as the Hoops seek to fend off rivals Rangers.

"I still think Celtic are stronger man for man and are likely to strengthen further," Sutton said. "We all know the recruitment hasn’t been great and areas of the team need to be addressed.

"They have the finances and the time to sort it out but this is still a big chance for Rangers."

Celtic and Rangers are both locked on six points at the top of the Scottish Premiership but the Parkhead club are ahead on goal difference.

Transfer news LIVE: Barcelona, Man Utd, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham updates

Gareth Bale to stay at Real Madrid

Zinedine Zidane has made a spectacular U-turn by claiming Gareth Bale will stay at Real Madrid this season.

Zidane had previously marginalised the winger, who Real made the world’s most-expensive player back in 2013.

"He is going to stay. We have to focus on this season, nothing else," Zidane said. "[Eden] Hazard's injury is bad luck for us, but it has not changed the idea we had for Bale in this game. Gareth, James [Rodriguez] and all the players here are going to defend this shirt."

Bale started on Saturday night as Real kicked off the new La Liga campaign with a 3-1 win at Celta Vigo.

Transfer news LIVE: Gareth Bale now looks set to play a key part for Real Madrid this season

Chelsea misfit wanted by two clubs

Chelsea outcast Tiemoue Bakayoko might be handed the chance to kickstart his career by Ligue 1 duo Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco.

Bakayoko arrived in west London two years ago to fill the void Nemanja Matic left behind as he joined Manchester United.

But, after a torrid first season at Chelsea, he was farmed out on loan to AC Milan, who were given the option to buy him.

Bakayoko is now back at Chelsea having failed to win Milan over, but Express Sport understands PSG and Monaco are eyeing him up given he’s on the fringes of Frank Lampard’s squad.

Transfer news LIVE: Tiemoue Bakayoko could leave Chelsea for Paris Saint-Germain or Monaco