#WELCOMENEYMAR
Duncan Castles there, blaming Martin Atkinson for a player literally headbutting someone about three yards away from him.
There is a reason to bring up Duncan Castles in this here gossip section, of course. Before Jose Mourinho’s star pupil was offering lukewarm takes on social media, he spent his Thursday compiling a transfer story. And obviously it was about Manchester United.
According to Castles’s sources in the Daily Record, Neymar ‘believes Manchester United are prepared to activate the €200million release clause in his Barcelona contract’.
We absolutely adore the idea that Castles is in direct conversation with Neymar. But the claim is that United are willing to not only meet his wage demands, but buy out his current Barcelona contract. That doesn’t sound cheap.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury appears to have forced Mourinho’s hand, with Castles claiming that he planned to keep the Swede on into next season. Neymar is the back-up option, because he is obviously so similar to the 35-year-old.
And what of the new contract the Brazilian signed at Barcelona late last year? It is merely a ‘sticking plaster’, says Castles. Sources at the Spanish club – Castles has them everywhere – also suggest that Neymar rather likes the idea of being the leading man away from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Basically, #WelcomeNeymar.
HEY, BIG SPENDERS
Thursday morning’s gossip included a brief line on Spanish outlet Cadena Ser linking United to Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Bear that in mind as we delve into the Daily Telegraph.
Thursday morning’s gossip included a brief line on Spanish outlet Cadena Ser linking United to Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. Bear that in mind as we delve into the Daily Telegraph.
According to Matt Law, Jose Mourinho wants to form a whole new striking partnership. He wants to pair Morata with long-term target Antoine Griezmann.
With regards to Griezmann, the Atletico Madrid forward will be ‘handed a contract’ worth over £300,000 a week at Old Trafford. Which is a lot of money.
As for Morata, Mourinho wants a physical centre-forward he can play just in front of Griezmann. Morata, who is unsettled at Madrid, has been identified as that man, and will cost £40m. Which is a lot of money.
Of course, now is the perfect time to remind you of the earlier transfer rumour linking United with a bid worth £170million for Neymar. Which is a lot of money, and doesn’t include his preposterous wages.
So that’s Neymar for £170m, Griezmann for around £70m (and that’s being generous), and Morata for a paltry £40m. Are we really supposed to believe that United will spend £280m on three players? And that’s without taking into account their wages.
AND THE RESTEngland forward Wayne Rooney, 31, has refused to confirm if he will still be at Manchester United next season, opening up the possibility of a move to the MLS or China…West Ham’s Michail Antonio, 27, is looking to leave the London club in the summer and has rejected a new contract offer…West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has hinted that Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, 27, is top of his transfer wish list this summer…Forward Jeison Lucumi, 22, wants to secure a move to Manchester United after impressing in Colombia’s top tier with America de Cali…Manchester City believe they can tempt Tottenham into selling Kyle Walker, despite chairman Daniel Levy’s preference being a move abroad for the 26-year-old right-back – if manager Mauricio Pochettino gives the green light on a move…Chelsea and Everton will have to break the bank to sign Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and hope the Italian club can identify a replacement for the 25-year-old.
