Transfer news LIVE updates: Neymar to Real Madrid, Sanchez Man Utd exit, Chelsea bid

Truth behind Grioud move

10.30: Olivier Giroud left Arsenal in January to enhance his push for the France World Cup squad.

That’s the view of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who sold the striker to Chelsea for £18million.

Giroud was battling for the striker spot at Arsenal with Alexandre Lacazette and new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

He moved to Stamford Bridge where he is now fighting with Alvaro Morata for the sole striker spot that Antonio Conte likes to play.

But Giroud didn’t want to leave the Emirates according to Wenger.

“Olivier is an Arsenal man as well,” Wenger said.

“He left for similar reasons to Theo Walcott, by being sad to leave but also objective enough to analyse his situation.

“His professional career demanded that he moved, but his heart wanted him to stay.

“Both Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud are similar cases on that front.”

Man Utd sign youngster on pro deal

10:25: Manchester United have announced that a winger with ‘skill and flair’ has signed a pro deal.

Largie Ramazani, 17, has impressed for the Under-18s side and has become the latest Manchester United youngster to sign professional terms with the club.

Ramazani arrived from Charlton Athletic in the summer and he has helped the Under-18s reach the top of the Premier League North.

Wilshere bids

09.30: Jack Wilshere’s future remains unclear at Arsenal – but the England midfielder will not be short of offers.

Wilshere’s contract runs out in the summer and he has made it clear he wants his future sorted before the World Cup.

Wilshere is back with the England squad this week after being left out with injury problems for the last few years.

And the Daily Mirror claim Liverpool and Manchester City are monitoring his situation while Everton, Juventus and AC Milan have made approaches.

Wilshere, 26, has impressed in Arsenal’s midfield despite the difficult season at the Emirates.

But his future remains no clearer with Arsene Wenger’s also uncertain at the club.

Boateng battle

09.00: Manchester United are reportedly set to rival Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona for Bayern Munich star Jerome Boateng.

Manchester United are primed to overhaul their defence this summer with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones likely to be shown the door.

Neither has been able to prove their worth to manager Jose Mourinho who is determined to land the Premier League title next season at the third time of asking.

And The Sun say Mourinho is aiming to solve United’s defensive woes by bidding for £50million-rated Boateng.

The Germany international has been plagued by injuries in recent years.

As a result, Bayern could cut him loose with the club well-stocked in that department.

Man Utd ‘plan Sanchez-Ronaldo swap’

08.35: Manchester United are hatching a plan to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford, claim shock reports in Spain.

Jose Mourinho is hoping to be reunited with his former Real Madrid star as he plots a summer overhaul of his squad.

The United manager is expected to be given another transfer war-chest in the next window to try and close the gap to Manchester City.

And the Portuguese boss is apparently hoping to sign Ronaldo in a deal which would see Alexis Sanchez leave the club.

The Chilean has been in poor form ever since joining from Arsenal in January and many supporters feel he could follow the same route as Angel Di Maria and be swiftly moved on.

Spanish outlet El Gol Digital claim that Real will offload Karim Benzema and try to sign Sanchez as his replacement.

The bizarre report claims Los Blancos have registered an interest in Sanchez back in January but the Red Devils stole a march to secure his signature.

But Real will now offer €80million (£69m) to take Sanchez to the Bernabeu.

El Gol Digital add United will then reinvest that cash in trying to take Ronaldo, 33, back to Manchester.

Klopp ‘did not want Salah’

08.20: Jurgen Klopp did not want to sign Mohamed Salah from Roma because of his interest in Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt, it has been claimed.




Salah is already a Liverpool hero with the Egypt star scoring a huge 36 goals across all competitions so far.

The 25-year-old arrived from Roma with many concerned he could flop following a poor spell at Chelsea earlier in his career.

Salah has, though, exceeded all expectations and could even better Ian Rush’s tally of 47 goals for a single campaign.

Yet German journalist Raphael Honigstein has claimed Salah was not Klopp’s top Liverpool target back in the summer.

Instead, he wanted Baver Leverkusen’s Brandt, but Reds chief Michael Edwards intervened.

“Michael Edwards had been getting a lot of criticism in Liverpool for some of the decisions they’ve made over the last few years,” Honigstein told the Totally Football Show podcast.

“This is one where Klopp has just stepped aside and said, ‘I didn’t really want Salah, but he convinced me to take him.’

“They were going for Julian Brandt, who’s very talented, but it’s inconceivable to think what the season would have looked like if it had been Brandt instead of Salah, because Brandt has been OK but hasn’t turned into one of the best strikers overnight the way that Salah has.”

Costa on Griezmann future

08.00: Diego Costa insists he wants Antoine Griezmann to stay at Atletico Madrid this summer.

Griezmann looks set to join Barcelona although Real Madrid and Manchester United remain interested.

United are expected to look elsewhere though so it looks like a straight shout out between the two Spanish clubs.

But Costa hopes he stays put and helps Atletico progress.

“He knows that we want him, that he is a very important player,” he said.

“He is still with us and he has not told me he is going yet.

“I would be happy for him to stay, everyone has to look for the best for themselves but, in my opinion, the best for him is to stay.”

Jose wants Varane

07.45: Manchester United are lining up a move for Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane.

The Real Madrid defender is rated at around £50m and could be on the move this summer.

Madrid are set for a huge overhaul after a disappointing season and the Mirror report that United are considering a swoop.

United are expected to axe Chris Smalling and Phil Jones this summer and want a top class partner for Eric Bailly.

Victor Lindelof is yet to impress this term but is expected to be given time to build on his first season at the club.

Toby Alderweireld and Samuel Umtiti are also on United’s radar.

Real ‘receive Bale offer’

07.30: Real Madrid have received an offer worth £113million for Gareth Bale – and Florentino Perez is ready to take it.

The only problem is Bale has rejected the move because the offer is from China.

Bale is determined to leave the Bernabeu this season but is only keen on a return to England.

The Wales star has already rejected the chance to join PSG and will not go to China.

Madrid are keen to get their money back for Bale and hope interest from England will turn concrete with Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham monitoring the situation.

Macolm wants next step

07.00: Bordeaux winger Malcom has revealed his ambition for his next transfer.

The Brazilian star, 21, was linked with a move to England in January but could finally make his move in the summer.

“I want to play for an elite club in Europe, win the Champions League and play for the Selecao,” Malcom told Sky Sports Germany.

“When I play for a big club, my chances improve. I want to thank Bordeaux for everything. First I want to finish the season with the best possible result and then I am going to sit down with my agent and family. Together we will make a decision.”

“I am learning English, because it is the most important language in the world. Wherever you are, with English you can get along. So that is very important for me.”