• Neymar - Linked with a return to Barcelona throughout the summer. On June 27, Barcelona's vice-president said that the Brazilian wants to return to the club, AFP reported. "What is correct, at the current time, what I have read, what I have heard, which seems exact, is that Neymar wants to come back to Barcelona," Jordi Cardoner said. Reuters
    Neymar - Linked with a return to Barcelona throughout the summer. On June 27, Barcelona's vice-president said that the Brazilian wants to return to the club, AFP reported. "What is correct, at the current time, what I have read, what I have heard, which seems exact, is that Neymar wants to come back to Barcelona," Jordi Cardoner said. Reuters
  • Joao Felix - The young Portuguese has been linked to a host of Europe's top clubs after a productive season at Benfica. The club then confirmed on June 26 that Atletico Madrid had submitted a bid for 126m euros, which would trigger his release clause, and were 'analysing it'. Reuters
    Joao Felix - The young Portuguese has been linked to a host of Europe's top clubs after a productive season at Benfica. The club then confirmed on June 26 that Atletico Madrid had submitted a bid for 126m euros, which would trigger his release clause, and were 'analysing it'. Reuters
  • Matthijs de Ligt - The Dutch defender is expected to leave Ajax this summer, and it appears Juventus are about to win the race. He is widely reported to have accepted a five-year contract with the Italian champions although PSG are said to still be interested. Getty Images
    Matthijs de Ligt - The Dutch defender is expected to leave Ajax this summer, and it appears Juventus are about to win the race. He is widely reported to have accepted a five-year contract with the Italian champions although PSG are said to still be interested. Getty Images
  • Antoine Griezmann - the Atletico Madrid chief Miguel Angle Gil said previously he had known since March that the Frenchman was off to Barcelona this summer. However, on June 17, the Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu told radio station RAC1 the club hadn't spoken to Griezmann and would see how the market changes "in the next few days and weeks". Now the deal is expected to go through on July 1, but can Barca afford both Griezmann and Neymar? Reuters
    Antoine Griezmann - the Atletico Madrid chief Miguel Angle Gil said previously he had known since March that the Frenchman was off to Barcelona this summer. However, on June 17, the Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu told radio station RAC1 the club hadn't spoken to Griezmann and would see how the market changes "in the next few days and weeks". Now the deal is expected to go through on July 1, but can Barca afford both Griezmann and Neymar? Reuters
  • Gareth Bale - There's no takers yet for Real Madrid's unwanted star. His agent, Jonathan Barnett, said on June 18 that "a loan move is not going to happen" amid reports of a temporary switch to Bayern Munich. He told Sky Sports: "There's more chance of me winning at Ascot ... I don't think he wants to go out on loan. He's got a lovely life and home in Spain. I think it would take something exceptional for him to leave and loans are not on the menu." He added that Bale would fit in at Manchester United but a move there is "very unlikely". AFP
    Gareth Bale - There's no takers yet for Real Madrid's unwanted star. His agent, Jonathan Barnett, said on June 18 that "a loan move is not going to happen" amid reports of a temporary switch to Bayern Munich. He told Sky Sports: "There's more chance of me winning at Ascot ... I don't think he wants to go out on loan. He's got a lovely life and home in Spain. I think it would take something exceptional for him to leave and loans are not on the menu." He added that Bale would fit in at Manchester United but a move there is "very unlikely". AFP
  • Paul Pogba - confirmed while on a promotional tour in Asia that it "could be time for a new challenge" away from Manchester United. Real Madrid are the front-runners, while Juventus and PSG are other possibilities. United are yet to comment on their star midfielder's situation although there's reports of bumper new contract offer in the works. AP Photo
    Paul Pogba - confirmed while on a promotional tour in Asia that it "could be time for a new challenge" away from Manchester United. Real Madrid are the front-runners, while Juventus and PSG are other possibilities. United are yet to comment on their star midfielder's situation although there's reports of bumper new contract offer in the works. AP Photo
  • Kylian Mbappe - The outstanding young player in world football has been linked with a move to a bigger stage than the French league. Real Madrid fans chanted his name during Eden Hazard's unveiling as a Real player, but PSG chairman Al Khelaifi told France Football on June 16 he's going nowhere. "Will he still be at PSG next year? I am not 100% sure but 200%," the Qatari was quoted as saying. AFP
    Kylian Mbappe - The outstanding young player in world football has been linked with a move to a bigger stage than the French league. Real Madrid fans chanted his name during Eden Hazard's unveiling as a Real player, but PSG chairman Al Khelaifi told France Football on June 16 he's going nowhere. "Will he still be at PSG next year? I am not 100% sure but 200%," the Qatari was quoted as saying. AFP
  • Philippe Coutinho - Currently playing for Brazil at the Copa America, Coutinho has been linked with a move away from Barcelona after an indifferent season. His departure could depend on whether Griezmann or Neymar are signed. Would make an ideal replacement for Eden Hazard at Chelsea but that is made complicated by the club's likely Fifa-imposed transfer ban. PSG and Manchester United have also been linked. Don't expect any movement until after the Copa America. AFP
    Philippe Coutinho - Currently playing for Brazil at the Copa America, Coutinho has been linked with a move away from Barcelona after an indifferent season. His departure could depend on whether Griezmann or Neymar are signed. Would make an ideal replacement for Eden Hazard at Chelsea but that is made complicated by the club's likely Fifa-imposed transfer ban. PSG and Manchester United have also been linked. Don't expect any movement until after the Copa America. AFP
  • Christian Eriksen - like Paul Pogba, the Tottenham midfielder said he wants a "new challenge". However, now that Pogba wants out it could limit his options as the Dane is arguably the less attractive option although would be cheaper for buying clubs. AP Photo
    Christian Eriksen - like Paul Pogba, the Tottenham midfielder said he wants a "new challenge". However, now that Pogba wants out it could limit his options as the Dane is arguably the less attractive option although would be cheaper for buying clubs. AP Photo

Football

Transfer latest: Neymar 'wants Barcelona return', Benfica 'analysing' Joao Felix bid

Catch up on the latest news around the nine biggest transfer situations this summer

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

June 27, 2019

  • English
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• See the slideshow at the top for the latest news on the nine highest profile transfer sagas of the summer

This is potentially one of the biggest summer transfer windows in recent memory.

Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen have both made their intentions clear, saying they wish to seek fresh challenges elsewhere, while the future of the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain has come under scrutiny once again.

Antoine Griezmann announced last month that he would be moving. His move could set off a domino effect - as one major player moves on we see a host of other deals pushed through.

Eden Hazard's arrival at Real Madrid from Chelsea was the first, just days after Luka Jovic moved to the Bernabeu from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Copa America and Africa Cup of Nations may create some delay while also unearthing new sought-after stars.

Top transfers so far:

Eden Hazard, Chelsea to Real Madrid (£89m)

Luka Jovic, Eintracht Frankfurt to Real Madrid (£54m)

Eder Militao, Porto to Real Madrid (£45m)

Ferland Mendy, Lyon to Real Madrid (£43m)

Rodrygo, Santos to Real Madrid (£40m)

Jasper Cillessen, Barcelona to Valencia (£35m)

Marcos Llorente, Real Madrid to Atletico Madrid (£27m)

Neto, Valencia to Barcelona (£23m)

Andre Gomes, Barcelona to Everton (£22m)

Wesley, Club Brugge to Aston Villa (£22m)

Pablo Fornals, Villarreal to West Ham (£24m)

Daniel James, Swansea City to Manchester United (15m)

Moussa Diaby, PSG to Bayer Leverkusen (£13.4m)

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Transfer window

- Premier League transfer window closes August 8.

- France, Germany and Spanish league transfer window closes end of August.

- Italian transfer window closes August 18.

FootballSport