Transfer news LIVE: Neymar to Barcelona, Arsenal exit near, Martial causes Man Utd problem
Posted Tuesday, August 27, 2019 by 7M Sport
Celtic's left-back targets
Celtic are interested in signing Kilmarnock's Greg Taylor and Rosenborg's Birger Meling ahead of next Monday's deadline according to Sky Sports reporter Charles Paterson.
Kieran Tierney left the Hoops earlier this summer for a fee of around £25million, joining Arsenal.
And Neil Lennon wants another left-back in despite signing Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo this summer.
Paterson said: "There are a couple of left-backs who are on Celtic's horizon.
"One of them is Greg Taylor of Kilmarnock. He is a young player who has really prospered at Rugby Park in the last couple of years, he's been in the Scotland squad.
"Is he ready to make the move and potentially replace Kieran Tierney? Can you ever replace Kieran Tierney is maybe a bigger question?
"Kilmarnock have reportedly quoted Celtic £3m - I understand from sources close to the player that valuation is a bit unrealistic.
"Nurnberg were interested in Taylor in the summer and were quoted a figure far less than that, so it depends whether or not the two clubs, if there is an offer that comes in because there hasn't been an offer yet from Celtic, whether they cam agree a deal."
Tottenham exits
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has decided his stance on the futures of both Jan Vertonghen and Serge Aurier, according to the Daily Mirror.
Belgian Vertonghen has yet to play for Spurs this season, having been absent from the squad entirely for the home win over Aston Villa on the Premier League's opening weekend.
Meanwhile Aurier was not in the squad in the loss to Newcastle yesterday having also been excluded from the 18-man match-day squad against Man City.
But while Pochettino is willing to offload Aurier, with Kyle Walker-Peters his preferred right-back and Juan Foyth and Moussa Sissoko able to deputise there, he is adamant he wants to keep Vertonghen.
Transfer news LIVE: Neymar to Barcelona, Arsenal exit near, Martial causes Man Utd problem (Image: GETTY)
Neymar wanted back
La Liga president Javier Tebas admits he would welcome Neymar back to Spain's top flight, be it at Real Madrid or Barcelona.
The Brazilian played for Barca for four years and is now being linked with a return after just two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain in France.
And Tebas told Marca: "Neymar, with all his things is among the three best players in the world. Coming again would be very important for La Liga, although it would not be decisive for the Spanish league.
"The decisive thing is that we play 10 months a year, 20 teams, all against all and generate passion and joy for the fans of Spain and the rest of the world every weekend.
"A player like Neymar tracks you in countries that are attentive to him, but he is not an essential element, nor was Cristiano Ronaldo.
"[Lionel] Messi, on the other hand, is more essential because it is La Liga's heritage."
Transfer news LIVE: Neymar to Barcelona, Arsenal exit near, Martial causes Man Utd problem (Image: GETTY)
Alfredo Morelos warning
Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has been warned by former Light Blues assistant manager Ian Durrant that he must hold on to Alfredo Morelos this summer, or risk more Celtic supremacy.
Gerrard's side finished second behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership last year but they'll be hoping to end a nine-year drought without a top-flight league title this season.
And Durrant, who has been in various management positions at Rangers previously, believes his former team will need to keep hold of Morelos or they'll fall further behind their fearsome rivals Celtic.
"It's everything," Durrant said on keeping Morelos.
"For both sides of the Old Firm, and if you look at Aberdeen with (Scott) McKenna, it's important that any team keeps their best players.
"Rangers are going for everything this year now. They are in a good place in Europe, second behind Celtic on goal difference, and Gary McAllister was saying they have a squad to compete on all fronts.
"If you are going to win things, if you are going to win leagues and cups and have a good run in Europe, you need to keep your best players. Morelos is a key factor in that.
"The manager was saying there might be a bid coming in for (James) Tavernier or Morelos so he will be wanting to fend that off and keep the strongest squad squad as he can.
"Hopefully it will be quiet and Rangers can keep him, because if Rangers want to win things, they will need Alfredo Morelos this year."
Nacho Monreal talks
Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has held talks with Unai Emery over his Arsenal future.
The Daily Mirror report the 33-year-old is likely to join Real Sociedad, who have offered a two-year deal to the defender with the option of a third season.
It is claimed if Monreal wants the move, the Gunners will let him leave despite Kieran Tierney being a few weeks away from full fitness.
The long-serving Spaniard is down to the final year of his deal in north London.
Transfer news LIVE: Neymar to Barcelona, Arsenal exit near, Martial causes Man Utd problem (Image: GETTY)
Final Neymar bid
Barcelona are currently preparing one last offer for Neymar, say Spanish channel El Chiringuito.
It is claimed the La Liga giants will submit a bid that includes a significant cash sum as well as Ousmane Dembele.
Barca have had several approaches already rejected, according to reports.
One was a loan-to-buy package with the summer Barca would pay PSG next summer falling well below the Parisians' valuation of the forward.
🚨🚨🚨 ¡ÚLTIMA HORA! El BARÇA plantea una OFENSIVA FINAL por NEYMAR con DEMBÉLÉ.
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) 26 August 2019
👉Información de @JosepSoldado desde Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/wySo63RYoc
Alexis Sanchez latest
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not opposed to keeping Alexis Sanchez.
The Chilean has been linked to Inter Milan with time ticking for the two clubs to agree a deal, which would seemingly be an initial loan with a permanent deal to follow in a year's time.
"Alexis is a quality player. We don't have loads of options," Solskjaer said.
"If there is an offer that's good enough for the club and him maybe he will go, but if not then he's still our player and he's a quality player."
Transfer news LIVE: Neymar to Barcelona, Arsenal exit near, Martial causes Man Utd problem (Image: GETTY)
Kai Havertz contact
Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller says Bayern Munich have been in touch about Kai Havertz.
Havertz has been linked with Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona among others.
Bayern are keen to raid their Bundesliga rivals for the 20-year-old play-maker, but Voller added that there are other interested partires.
"It is no secret that there were a few phone calls and great interest," he told Sky Deutschland.
"I then spoke directly and completely friendly with [Karl Heinz] Rummenigge. [He] totally understood that we do not [want to sell].
"Bayern were not the only club that asked us about Kai Havertz."
Celtic want new signings immediately
Celtic boss Neil Lennon remains hopeful of confirming some new signings in the coming days.
"We need players in two or three positions. Hopefully we can get some quality bodies in on Monday or Tuesday," Lennon said after watching his side beat Hearts 3-1.
"If we do, I would like to take them to Sweden with us to integrate them with the group if they have an opportunity to play next weekend."
Celtic have signed Christopher Jullien, Boli Bolingoli, Hatem Abd Elhamed, Jonathan Afolabi and Luca Connell this summer.
Goalkeeper Fraser Forster has also joined on loan from Southampton.
Transfer news LIVE: Celtic boss Neil Lennon wants new signings (Image: GETTY)
Neymar hints at Barcelona move
Neymar is at the centre of the summer's biggest transfer tussle as Barcelona and Real Madrid battle it out to sign him before the close of the transfer window.
Neymar, 27, may have hinted he would prefer to join Barcelona over Real Madrid with a flurry of social media activity on Sunday night.
He has been heavily linked with a return to the Nou Camp just two years after leaving for Paris Saint-Germain in a world-record £200million deal.
Spanish publication AS say it is a 'nod' in the direction of Barca as he is looking to do all he can to convince them to re-sign him.
As it stands, Barcelona are struggling to raise the cash as they have already spent more than £200m on new players this summer and PSG want to recoup all the money they spent to take him to France in the first place.
Real Madrid are in a similar situation as they have spent big in the window as well.
Transfer news LIVE: Neymar continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona (Image: GETTY)
Nacho Monreal to leave Arsenal?
Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal is closing in on a move to Spanish side Real Sociedad, it has been claimed.
Marca claim a two-year deal has been agreed with the 33-year-old.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has spoken on Monreal and admitted he could leave the club.
He said: "He made a very big match, very big match, and he's a very big professional for us.
"It's one issue, we need to speak the next days because in Europe the transfer window isn't finished yet. But we are going to speak about all the situation, the possibility."
Transfer news LIVE: Alexis Sanchez may stay at Manchester United (Image: GETTY)
Anthony Martial causes Man Utd problem
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is fearful Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood will be the only strikers available to him should Alexis Sanchez leave.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may keep Alexis Sanchez in the wake of Anthony Martial's injury against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Martial was seen limping after the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford and, with the Red Devils chasing the game late on, could barely move.
And ESPN claim Solskjaer is worried that Martial's injury could see him forced to rely on Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.
The duo are the only striking options available to United following the transfer deadline day departure of Romelu Lukaku.
And Solskjaer fears that, with Martial set for a spell on the sidelines, his attack will be left short.
As a result, the report says that Alexis Sanchez could yet stay at the club.
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