Man United prepare to trigger Neymar release clause

Manchester United are ready to meet the buyout clause Barcelona inserted in Neymar's contract, according to Catalan outlet Sport.

According to the Barcelona-based paper, the English giants will pay the requisite €200 million to secure the Brazilian's exit from the defending La Liga champions. It's a deal that would shatter football's current transfer world record, already possessed by Man United, when they paid €100m to Juventus last summer for Paul Pogba.

In addition to shelling out a world-record fee, Man United are also prepared to make Neymar the highest-paid player in the Premier League by reportedly offering him a wage packet worth in excess of £415,000 a week.

Morata ready to walk away from Madrid

Alvaro Morata is ready to give up on his Real Madrid dream, claims Spanish publication AS, with Antonio Conte pushing hard for Chelsea to be his next destination.

The Italian has reportedly insisted to owner Roman Abramovich that the Blues make a move for the Spain international, with a €65 million offer likely to be enough to force Los Blancos into a sale. The 24-year-old has struggled to beat out Karim Benzema for a starting role under Zinedine Zidane, despite a superior goals-to-minutes ratio; Morata scoring every 111 minutes in La Liga compared to Benzema netting every 174 minutes.

Despite being a boyhood fan of Los Merengues, Morata appears set to demand an exit, and the report claims, in his mind, his future is "more blue than white."

Verratti offers Juventus hope

Marco Verratti has told Italian publication Corriere dello Sport that he could leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer.

The Italy international has reportedly told Juventus he is "ready," and admitted, "I could leave PSG." The report also mentions how Inter, with newfound investment from Chinese owners Suning, could rival the Old Lady for arguably the Azzurri's most important player.

The 24-year-old midfielder has been the source of much speculation surrounding his future in the French capital, while the Bianconeri have long since admired the former Pescara starlet and see him as a potential successor to the great Andrea Pirlo.

Costa opens door to Ligue 1 move

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has fuelled speculation he could move to Ligue 1 in the future by heaping praise on PSG, Marseille and Monaco, according to the Mirror.

The Spain international was the subject of interest from Chinese Super League sides in January but ultimately remained at Stamford Bridge. Now the 28-year-old has opened the door to a future move to Ligue 1 by praising its biggest clubs and their projects.

"Marseille have constructed a nice project. PSG, we know, are respected in Europe," Costa is quoted as saying. "Monaco also have a wonderful project and have some great players. Ligue 1 is developing.

"I am very happy at Chelsea, but anything can happen in football. If I need to make a change, France is a country where I have never played. So why not?"

Chelsea and Liverpool lead race for Gibson

Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson will have offers from all of the Premier League's top six clubs this summer, reports the Mirror.

But Chelsea and Liverpool lead the race for the Boro talent, who was recently called up to the England squad in place of the injured Chris Smalling. The 24-year-old would almost certainly move should Boro fail to remain in the Premier League after this season.

Manchester City are also keen, with Pep Guardiola ready to rival the Blues for another centre-back, Southampton captain Virgil van Dijk, in a defensive reshuffle at the Etihad.

Tap-ins

- Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe will "go to a club like Real Madrid, Barcelona or another club of that calibre," according to teammate Fabinho. Les Rouges et Blancs will be desperate to keep hold of the 18-year-old though after 19 goals and 11 assists this term unveiled his potential to become a special player.

- Chelsea have reportedly agreed a fee of €40m for Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, reports Tuttomercatoweb. The France international has also been strongly linked to Manchester United, but the Blues have reportedly readied a five-year deal.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by JACK RATHBORN

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