Neymar hints at Man United buyout

Jose Mourinho has been enquiring about a possible deal that would see Neymar make a move to Old Trafford this summer. According to whom, you ask? None other than the Brazilian sensation himself, says the Daily Record.

The outlet suggest that Neymar has told friends that both Manchester United and Chelsea have been asking the Barcelona brass if they might part with the 25-year-old, with Mourinho "particularly persistent in his courtship" as he looks to chart a way forward next season after losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to a long-term injury last Thursday in the Europa League.

Fantastical? Yes. A long shot? Surely. But consider this: Neymar is still dealing with a court case and possible fines related to his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013, and it's not outside the realm of possibility that a cash windfall from a team like United -- reportedly ready to pay his €200 million release clause and meet any salary requirements -- could help Neymar cover everything he could be forced to pay and a whole lot more.

Man City see opening for Kyle Walker

Rumours have been rife recently about the future of Kyle Walker at Tottenham, and that speculation has given Manchester City hope of signing the right-back.

But the Daily Telegraph reports that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would prefer to sell Walker abroad, with Bayern Munich and Barcelona mentioned as possible destinations.

If Tottenham do decide to cash in it is said that they would expect to receive more than the £30m Manchester United paid for Luke Shaw when they signed him from Southampton.

Regardless of what happens with Walker, Mauricio Pochettino hopes to significantly strengthen his squad over the summer transfer window and has Michael Keane, Harry Maguire, Wilfried Zaha and Ross Barkley among his targets.

Barca, Real battle for Hernandez

Barcelona are so keen to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Theo Hernandez that they are ready to offer Jordi Alba on loan to Atletico Madrid in order to seal the deal.

A report in AS claims that Barca are leading the way for the 19-year-old French left-back, who is also on the radar of Bayern Munich and Marseille, but Real have supposedly already made an offer that triggers his release clause and tabled a five-year contract.

Atletico would prefer Hernandez, who has caught the eye while on loan at Alaves this season, to join Barca over Real, and the offer of getting Alba in return will only strengthen their resolve to stop him joining Los Blancos.

Tap-ins

- The LA Galaxy are ready to turn their attention to former Marseille and France striker Andre Pierre Gignac now that their hopes of landing Ibrahimovic appear to be at an end because of his injury, the Daily Mail claims. But not so fast Galaxy, the 31-year-old, who currently plays for Tigres in Mexico, has said he has no interest in making a move to Major League Soccer and sees himself in Liga MX to stay.

- Cyle Larin's goal-scoring form for Orlando City is attracting interest from Belgian Pro League side Genk, HBVL reports. The 22-year-old has six goals in as many appearances this season, leading to speculation about a move to Europe. Everton and Sporting Lisbon have previously been linked with Larin, while Borussia Monchengladbach are also said to be monitoring the situation.

- Everton are said to be planning a £22m move for highly rated Anderlecht midfielder Youri Tielemans, according to the Liverpool Echo. Tielemans has also been linked with Monaco but Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is trying to broker a deal to bring the 19-year-old Belgium international to the Premier League.

- The Daily Mail reckons that Sean Raggett's role in helping Lincoln reach the FA Cup quarterfinals has caught the eye of West Brom manager Tony Pulis who wants to sign the £100,000-rated defender. The 23-year-old, who scored a last-minute winner against Burnley in the fifth round of the cup, is said to be a target for a number of teams in England's top two divisions.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by MICHAEL WADE

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