Gossip: Neymar, Wanyama, Elabdellaoui

Daniel Storey

THE NEYMAR WHODUNNIT
Well, well. The transfer window has been closed for less than three days, but we already have possible news of a summer mega bid. Sigh.

The story is that an unnamed club has made a bid of £144m for Barcelona forward Neymar, a fact revealed by the player’s father during a court case in Spain. Pa Neymar was also kind enough to mention that the bidder was not Real Madrid.

Offer such a nugget to The Sun and what do you get? ‘Neym in frame’ of course.

Apparently, ‘Prem giants are on red alert’ as Neymar ‘could quit Barcelona’. We’ll assume that Barcelona get some say in this, and would probably not be that willing to sell one of their star names.

 

WANYAMA FLIRTING WITH SPURS AND ARSENAL
Victor Wanyama was one name who we thought might be bandied about a great deal during the last transfer window, but it all went suspiciously quiet.

Now the Daily Mirror reckon that the Southampton midfielder is stalling on signing a new contract at the club, desperately trying to catch the eyes of Arsene Wenger and Mauricio Pochettino. “Coooeeey, guuuys? I’m still here, fit and healthy and raring to goooo. *Pumps iron*”

Wanyama has a five-year deal on the table at St Mary’s, but wants to wait until the end of the season to keep his options open. With only 18 months left on his current contract, Southampton would surely have to sell if the Kenyan handed in another transfer request this summer.

 

ATLETICO TO RE-SIGN COSTA
Oh look at Atletico Madrid, with all their unexpected pocket money. Having become the bestest of friends with Jorge Mendes, the super-agent sorted out a deal for Jackson Martinez to earn Atletico all the money in China. That’s despite the Colombian scoring two league goals in Spain and generally looking fairly unarsed.

The Daily Mail say that Atletico will use their money to re-sign striker Diego Costa from Chelsea. Again, that’s all very lovely but Chelsea have to agree to sell him first.

Also, given that Diego Simeone is among the favourites to take the job going at Stamford Bridge this summer, it’s a bit early to start guessing who Atletico will sign from Chelsea.

 

UNITED WANT ELABDELLAOUI
News from Greece now, and the claim that Manchester United still want to sign defender Omar Elabdellaoui from Olympiakos.

The Norwegian was rumoured with a move to United on Deadline Day, but that was scuppered when Elabdellaoui posted a picture of himself hanging out with his teammates.

Greek publication Gazetta says United will go back in the summer for the right-back, but we’d be surprised. Surely the need was in January when United had the injury crisis?

 

AND THE REST
Asmir Begovic wants to quit Chelsea this summer as he is already fed up at playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois… Aston Villa are looking at possible replacements in case Remi Garde follows through with his threat to walk out.

Yeah, so not much ‘rest’ today.