Transfer news LIVE: Barca £137m Neymar twist, Man Utd agreed deal, Liverpool £52m windfall

Posted Wednesday, September 04, 2019 by Express.co.uk

21:30 UPDATE - Nicolas Pepe transfer risk explained

Arsenal boss Unai Emery has taken a massive risk on breaking the Gunners' record transfer fee for Nicolas Pepe, according to talkSPORT's Adrian Durham.

"I was surprised at how ineffective Pepe was," Durham said of the Ivorian. "To pay that much money for somebody who is so one-footed has to be a risk. I don't think he is going to have that many wonder games, I think he'll have some special moments, he will do some special things in games.

"But to impact a game to the point where you're the difference and you make up to 12-15 points a season that can make Arsenal challengers. I think they are expecting a bit too much from him."

Transfer news LIVE: Barca £137m Neymar twist, Man Utd agreed deal, Liverpool £52m windfall
Arsenal broke the bank to sign Nicolas Pepe this summer (Image: GETTY)

20:30 UPDATE - Luka Modric exit claim made

Luka Modric opted not to leave Real Madrid and join AC Milan this summer because of his poor 2018-19 campaign at the Bernabeu, according to Rossoneri director Zvonimir Boban.

He is a big Milan fan, and has been ever since he was a child, so he had the passion to join us.

"However, we never got into concrete talks, he didn't want to leave Real after a bad season."

Transfer news LIVE: Barca £137m Neymar twist, Man Utd agreed deal, Liverpool £52m windfall
Luka Modric was a target for AC Milan this summer (Image: GETTY)

20:00 UPDATE: Matthijs de Ligt transfer theory revealed

Former Netherlands defender Mario Melchiot believes Matthijs de Ligt snubbed potential moves to Barcelona or Manchester United in favour of a transfer to Juventus due to the Old Lady's recent success in the Champions League.

"Italian football was always keen on defensive players," Melchiot told Goal. "They respect defenders in Italy. Italian football is back to where it should be. Top stars go there. I feel like Juventus is a big contender to win the Champions League.

"It isn't as easy as it looks to win eight titles in a row. De Ligt is in a star team. He plays the game like he has been around for years. He has always had that. Man Utd? Maybe it is an unsettled club. They are rebuilding their team.

"Barcelona? They are also going through changes and they are considered not successful when they aren't in the final of the Champions League. Juventus look close to winning it and they might have the best chance of winning it this season. That was his choice."

Transfer news LIVE: Barca £137m Neymar twist, Man Utd agreed deal, Liverpool £52m windfall
Matthijs de Ligt snubbed a move to Manchester United in favour of a transfer to Juventus (Image: GETTY)

18:30 UPDATE: Jan Oblak rumours

Manchester United are supposedly weighing up a move for Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak.

According to Spanish publication Diaro AS, Oblak is United's primary candidate to replace David de Gea if he decides to leave Old Trafford.

Oblak, 26, was reportedly considering leaving Diego Simeone's side earlier this year - but penned a new deal until June 2023.

De Gea was offered a new long-term contract worth £350,000-a-week earlier in the summer but has not put pen to paper.

Transfer news LIVE: Barca £137m Neymar twist, Man Utd agreed deal, Liverpool £52m windfall
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

18:00 UPDATE: Wenger: I'll be back

Arsene Wenger says he'll return to management soon despite rejecting several offers.

The Frenchman left Arsenal at the end of the 2017/18 season and has been out of football for 16 months.

"I rejected some nice offers because I did not feel ready," Wenger told BeIN Sports. "Maybe I realised how much I was in my own bubble, alienating myself from the rest of the world when I was managing.

"I did it for 35 years without any interruption. So I was able to leave the bubble and open my eyes and that took me time. You will see me in a dugout again, when, I don't know exactly."

17:30 UPDATE: Willian to Juventus

Juventus are lining up a deal for Chelsea midfielder Willian.

Willian, 31, has entered the final year of his Stamford Bridge contract and will be eligible to sign a pre-contract agreement from January onwards.

Frank Lampard has barely used the Brazilian, who has played a combined total of 55 minutes in three Premier League fixtures.

And Juventus, who snapped up Emre Can, Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey on free transfers, are looking to snare his signature.

Transfer news LIVE: Barca £137m Neymar twist, Man Utd agreed deal, Liverpool £52m windfall
Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

17:00 UPDATE: Luka Modric

Luka Modric didn't want to leave Real Madrid.

That's according to AC Milan director Zvonimir Boban, who has explained why the Serie A side weren't able to lure the Ballon d'Or winner to the San Siro this summer.

"He is a big Milan fan, and has been ever since he was a child, so he had the passion to join us," Boban told Sky Sport Italia.

"However, we never got into concrete talks, he didn't want to leave Real after a bad season."

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

16:30 UPDATE: Donny advised against Real

Mario Melchiot has warned Ajax talent Donny van de Beek against joining Real Madrid unless he receives assurances of a first-team role.

Zinedine Zidane's side were linked with the midfielder during the transfer window after several failed attempts to bring Paul Pogba to the Bernabeu.

"I like Van de Beek's character and the way he plays," he told Goal. "I just hope his first move is one to play.

"If not, then they had a player like Klaassen who did really well at Ajax but came to Everton and he couldn't perform so he ended up on the bench because he couldn't adjust to the English game.

"Sometimes in Holland they underestimate what some of us did to survive playing over there for 10 years. If he [Van de Beek] goes to Real Madrid one day, I am not saying he is not good enough, but if he isn't given assurances that he will play, or get a fair chance, then he shouldn't go."

16:00 UPDATE: Bobby Duncan agent

Bobby Duncan's agent, Saif Rubie, has released a statement 24 hours after the Liverpool teenager joined Fiorentina for £1.8million.

"To be in the top 1% you have to be prepared to do what 99% of the rest won't do," said the agent. "In my line of work I know nobody even comes near. Not everything in life is black and white and you have to be able to adapt and roll with the punches.

"Now Bobby Duncan has the opportunity to live and experience something not many young English players have done. That's what leaders do. We are not followers.

"Thanks to all the people who have supported me in this difficult period means a lot. The joy of getting the job done makes all the struggle and doubt worthwhile. PS Kevin Prince-Boateng you better look after our little brother."

15:30 UPDATE: Neymar contact

Neymar was in contact with Real Madrid representatives up until the European transfer window closed last night.

The Brazilian forward, 27, was expected to leave the Parc Des Princess - two years after his world-record £200million transfer in 2017.

The Spanish arch-rivals were both trying to lure Neymar back to La Liga, but PSG's £273m valuation proved too much.

The Catalan side were considered overwhelming favourites to complete his signing, but newspaper Marca claim Real Madrid were well in the mix.

They claim Neymar was in contact with Real Madrid chiefs until Monday's 11pm deadline.

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

15:00 UPDATE: Wanted: Joe Gelhardt

Merseyside rivals Everton and Liverpool are looking to sign Wigan wonderkid Joe Gelhardt.

That's according to Goal, who claim the Premier League duo have been tracking the centre-forward's progress.

Gelhardt, 17, is expected to earn his first cap for England's Under-18 squad against Australia on Friday having impressed at youth level.

Goal claim Wolves, Leicester and Chelsea have also sent scouts to watch Gelhardt in a action for Wigan's youth teams last season.

14:30 UPDATE: Man Utd bid for Eriksen

Manchester United will launch a bid to sign unsettled Tottenham playmaker Christian Eriksen in January.

That's according to the Daily Mail, who claim Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to sign a creative playmaker in the winter market.

Eriksen's contract expires in June 2020, and he's made no secret of his desire to leave the club.

Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona were all linked with the 27-year-old Denmark international, who could be snapped up for a bargain price - certainly less than Daniel Levy's original £63million valuation.

14:00 UPDATE: City will regret Maguire snub

Manchester City could live to regret passing on Harry Maguire, according to Gary Neville.

The Premier League champions decided not to pursue Maguire because off his £80million valuation - but the potential long-term injury to Aymeric Laporte could cost them points.

"If Laporte is out for a long period of time, I think it will cost City points," Neville told Sky Sports. "He is a dominant centre-back.

"He is a brilliant player, Laporte. I just look at it and think it's a real worry. Maguire would have been ideal. I think Manchester United did really well to get him, and I'm surprised City didn't go with them to get him – maybe they did and maybe they pulled out with the money or whatever it was."

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

13:30 UPDATE: I'll improve - de Jong

Barcelona's £65million signing Frenkie de Jong has vowed to improve after an inauspicious start to life at the Nou Camp.

The former Ajax star has started in all three of Barcelona's opening La Liga fixtures - but is clearly still adapting to his new surroundings.

"I'm new to the team and I've started in all the three games even though we've a lot of midfielders," De Jong said. "But I think I can play better than I have so far.

"I have to grow into whatever role I play in. I'm happy I'm playing and I just want to make sure that I stay in the team."

Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip (Image: GETTY)

13:00 UPDATE: Jadon Sancho hope

Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho would consider a return to the Premier League or a move to Spain.

The 19-year-old, who let Manchester City in 2017, was tipped to join rivals Manchester United over the summer in a deal worth upwards of £100million.

Instead, he stayed put at BVB, and signed a new bumper contract worth a reported £190,000-per-week.

Now, after earning a call-up to the England squad, he has put United on red alert by admitting that he would be up for a return to his home country or Spain.

"I can't tell the future but I wouldn't mind," he said when asked about the chances of a return to England. "La Liga I wouldn't mind also, but we don't know yet."

12:45 UPDATE: Paul Pogba Instagram

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has once again fuelled speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The French superstar openly revealed his desire to secure a deal away from Old Trafford at the beginning of the transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side held firm with their £180million valuation and Monday's closure of the European transfer window ensured the 26-year-old would remain in the north West until January at least.

However, Pogba has sparked more rumours after liking an Instagram comment asking him to move to Spain.

12:30 UPDATE: Christian Eriksen breaks silence

Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen has made no secret of the fact he intends to leave the club on the expiry of his contract.

Eriksen sparked speculation at the start of the window when after the Champions League final he expressed his desire for a new challenge, inviting Real Madrid to approach Tottenham.

When the 27-year-old was asked whether he regrets his initial comments, the former Ajax man's response was emphatic.

"No, it wasn't [wrong to speak out]," he told Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet. "But it is football and you never know what happens in football. Many things always come into play.

"I wish I could decide [my future] just like in the Football Manager [game], but unfortunately I can't. I know a lot of people are interested in where to play. I understand that well."

12:15 UPDATE: PSG Neymar fee

Barcelona were £137million short of PSG's asking price for Brazilian superstar Neymar.

Barcelona made several different offers to bring the 27-year-old back to the Nou Camp - all were rebuffed by the French champions.

The Sun claim their final bid included £136m plus Ivan Rakitic and Ousmane Dembele on loan.

Now, French newspaper Le Parisien claim PSG wanted a whopping £273m in cash for Neymar.

It's also claimed that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi was confident that the Catalan giants wouldn't be able to cough up the required amount.

12:00 UPDATE: Mario Mandzukic was agreed

Manchester United should have completed a deal for Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, according to ESPN reporter Mark Ogden.

Mandzukic, 33, emerged as a transfer target for the Red Devils late in the summer transfer window after it became clear Romelu Lukaku would leave the club.

Reports claimed an agreement was made between the clubs and Ogden believes that was the case - nut doesn't understand why United did not get a deal over the line.

"They could have signed Mario Mandzukic at the end of the window," Ogden said. "A deal was agreed with Juventus, it would have cost I think around £14million.

"That for me would have been a no-brainer because yes he's not the future but he's a guy that ticks that box of being an experienced pro."

11:45 UPDATE: Liverpool money-makers

Liverpool banked over £50million during the summer transfer window.

Jurgen Klopp's side only brought three players to the club with Sepp van den Berg, Adrian and Harvey Elliott arriving for a combined £1.3m.

But their outgoings saw them raise £53.2m in total.

Danny Ings joined Southampton for an initial £18m - rising to £20m. Ryan Kent returned to Rangers on a permanent basis for £6m rising to £7.5m. Simon Mignolet was offloaded for £8m.

Teenager Rafael Camacho joined Sporting Lisbon for £5m rising to £7m, while Ovie Ejaria, Bobby Duncan and George Johnston left for a combined £5.6m.

The reds also received £5.1m in loan fees for Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic and Taiwo Awoniyi.

11:30 UPDATE: Thomas Gravesen talks

Former Everton midfielder Thomas Gravesen has discussed the moment he learned of Real Madrid's interest in January 2005.

"I was in the cinema with my brother when my agent called," Gravesen told FourFourTwo. "I said to my brother, 'I've got to take this phone call' and went outside. My agent asked, 'What do you think about Madrid?'

"I thought it was Atletico Madrid to begin with, so I said, 'But I like Everton too'. He said, 'It's Real Madrid'. I said, 'It's Real Madrid?! OK... well what are they saying? What's David Moyes saying?'

"My agent said they would come to an agreement, and after that it was up to us. From there, my agent flew down to Madrid, and because it was the winter window, Real Madrid needed to be really quick. The move happened so quickly."