Transfer Talk Real Madrid to smash world transfer record for Neymar

The transfer window is open, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow live with our daily blog throughout the summer.

TOP STORY: Real Madrid to break bank for Neymar

The Sun claims to have a source close to Real Madrid that says Florentino Perez is willing to pay £307m to bring Neymar to the Bernabeu this summer before a £263m release clause kicks in with PSG as soon as the window closes at the start of September.

The report claims that “Real are unwilling to wait until January for their Galactico” and that the “free-spending suitors would break the current transfer record by £109m to get him before the new season begins.”

PSG reportedly put the Sept. 1 release clause in place to prevent Neymar leaving before 2019, but the rumour mill continues to swirl around the Brazilian’s future after returning from injury with the whispers surrounding a move to Madrid refusing to go away.

LIVE BLOG

11:32 BST: Tottenham are weighing up a move for Aston Villa star Jack Grealish, sources close to the Premier League club have told ESPN FC.

Leicester City are also keeping tabs on Grealish’s situation, but Tottenham are the front runners, with Pochettino viewing the 22-year-old as the type of player he can help develop into a better player while also strengthening the core of young English talents at the club.

11:10 BST: In case you missed this one on Friday, Manchester United and Tottenham are around £20 million apart in their valuations of Toby Alderweireld, sources have told ESPN FC.

United have been quick to move in the transfer market this summer, already snapping up Fred and Diogo Dalot. 

Sources have told ESPN FC that United are willing to pay around £50m for Alderweireld, but negotiations have hit a sticking point with Tottenham valuing the 29-year-old at closer to £70m.

10:29 BST: When Mario Gotze left Bayern Munich to rejoin Borussia Dortmund in 2016 there was plenty of speculation that he could move to the Premier League. Now, he has revealed how close a move to Liverpool was.

“I decided to leave Bayern and Jurgen Klopp was interested in getting me to Liverpool. And I was also interested in working with him again,” he told DAZN as part of a four-part documentary about his career so far.

“It [the desire to work with Klopp again] still exists. He is a world-class coach and that’s why it’s always an option. I decided to join Borussia Dortmund, but it was not a decision against Liverpool or Jürgen Klopp.”

10:05 BST: While there is still the chance that these players may be offered a new deal, here are 10 players who are available on a free transfer, including Marouane Fellaini, Jack Wilshere and Emre Can.

09:30 BST: In Italy, Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Inter Milan are set to offer Mauro Icardi a bumper pay-rise so they can keep him at the club.

Under the terms of the new deal the striker will get €6.3m basic annually and the potential to earn up to €8m with bonuses.

Sulla #Gazzetta in edicola oggi ⚽ Icardi, safari d’oro. Ma Wanda… ⚽ Milan, 21 giorni per il nuovo socio ⚽ Nazionale, le ragazze al Mondiale! E molto altro… pic.twitter.com/sN9clPstEv

— LaGazzettadelloSport (@Gazzetta_it) June 9, 2018

09:00 BST: Danny Murphy has told ESPN FC that Liverpool’s fast start to the transfer window will help Jurgen Klopp build on this season’s success. The Reds have already signed Fabinho from Monaco and Naby Keita is incoming from RB Leipzig, meanwhile Lyon’s Nabil Fekir is rumoured to be joining.

“I like the fact they’re getting their business done early,” said Murphy. “I still think the keeper thing needs addressing and I think it will be, and maybe another centre-back. But in terms of attacking areas, I think they’re alright. Strength in depth is a question mark maybe, in terms of when you look at the benches of United and City. If you look at United’s front six it’s incredible really. But I’m pleased. They’re close.”

Herrera set for Bilbao return?

Ander Herrera could be headed back to the club he joined Manchester United from, with AS suggesting Athletic Bilbao are ready to make their former midfielder the team’s highest-paid player to lure him back to La Liga.

The 28-year-old was United’s player of the year two seasons ago, but was in and out of the lineup in the latest campaign and his place could be further complicated by the arrival of Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk.

But even if Herrera were surplus to requirements in Jose Mourinho’s midfield, the story says that the Portuguese boss is hesitant to let him go without a like-for-like replacement in the team.

Finances could further complicate the move as “Bilbao are also unlikely to be able to have the money to tempt United to sell,” meaning both club and player might have to wait until Herrera’s contract expires at the end of next season to be reunited.

Fekir deal hits roadblock

Just when it seemed like a deal to bring Nabil Fekir from Lyon to Liverpool was all but done, the Reds have pulled back following the player’s medical evaluation in France, reports the Telegraph.

With the clubs in agreement on a £53 million fee and Fekir ready to sign off on contract details, the outlet says “enough concerns have materialised over the last 24 hours to ensure the signing has not gone ahead as planned” and “Liverpool are offering no indication as to the nature of the problem.”

The France international, who is ready to head to Russia to take part in the World Cup next week, was meant to be the third piece of high-profile business for Jurgen Klopp’s side this summer along with Naby Keita and Fabinho. Instead, it might be a case of Liverpool having to “switch to alternative targets as they continue the hunt for a new No. 10,” says the report.

Tap-ins

– Harry Kane has penned a new deal with Tottenham and, according to the Mirror, that will have a knock-on effect and persuade both Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen to follow suit. The England frontman has committed himself to the club until 2024 and the Mirror says his two teammates “are the next in line to get bumper new pay deals.”

– Benfica forward Anderson Talisca has opted to join Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande on a six-month loan following links to Manchester United.

The Brazil youth international had been linked to a move to the Premier League, with Portuguese outlet O Jogo claiming last month that United submitted a £35 million offer for the 24-year-old.

– Juventus have signed Italian goalkeeper Mattia Perin from Serie A rivals Genoa for an initial fee of €12 million after he successfully passed a medical on Friday.