Barcelona
The speculation swirling about a spectacular surprise move by Manchester United for Neymar would appear to be just that, with the Barcelona star's agent telling O Globo in his home nation "there is no truth" to rumours.
The noise about such a move has grown in recent days as United have missed out on Pedro and Sergio Ramos during this transfer window, among others, and the window’s close draws nearer.
With few headline-grabbing deals expected between now and August 31, Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribeiro says the quiet period is creating a vacuum his client has unwittingly filled.
"Barcelona have never thought of selling Neymar and he is very happy there," Ribeiro told O Globo.
“There’s no truth in it. He has three more years left on his contract.
“The English press love spreading rumours.”
Many of those English reports did, however, stipulate, as The Guardian did on Sunday, that any such transfer "is unlikely to occur before the current window closes". Ed Woodward reportedly was in Barcelona not just for Pedro last week, but laying the groundwork on a play for Neymar as well.
Luis Enrique wouldn't indulge the talks in his post-match press conference on Sunday, after Barca's 1-0 win in La Liga over Athletic Bilbao, saying "it doesn't interest me to talk about rumours. I only want to focus on what's happened to my team."
Manchester United have began the Premier League season with two wins and one draw, but only one goal scored of their own account in those three matches. Wayne Rooney has yet to find net, further fuelling speculation about Louis van Gaal's desire to add a striker, even though he has said he does not need one.
See more: The National's Transfer Talk page
AC Milan
AC Milan's vice president says the club are in talks with Liverpool about bringing striker Mario Balotelli back to Serie A.
Adriano Galliani said Sunday: “There are ongoing negotiations for him to come back on loan.
“But we are not yet in agreement over what share of his salary we have to pay.”
Balotelli joined Liverpool from AC Milan for £16 million (Dh92m) last year, 19 months after ending a spell with Manchester City to play for his boyhood club.
Balotelli struggled at Liverpool last season, scoring one goal in 16 Premier League appearances and lost his spot in the Italy squad.
Galliani said: “We are convinced ... it’s absolutely his last chance and he understands that”.
*Associated Press
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