Neymar to the Prem?
Has Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar dropped a major hint that wants to move to the Premier League?
The Daily Star reports that the Brazilian forward was asked by Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy if he fancied one playing in England’s top flight.
“It’s a big competition, one of the greatest in the world,” said 26-year-old Neymar, in reply to Mendy’s question on his YouTube channel.
“We don’t know what will happen tomorrow but I believe that every great player, at least one day, has to play in the Premier League.”
Maybe one day that will be alongside Mendy at the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City…
Sandro in demand
Alex Sandro is looking to exploit the interest from the two Manchester clubs to force Juventus into increasing his salary.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, “2019 will be a big year in the future of Alex Sandro”, one where his future for the next few years will be decided.
Both Manchester City and Manchester United have been tailing the Brazilian defender for months, and Juventus are aware of the interest. But at the same time Juve are unsure whether they have the financial muscle to see off the advances from the Premier League pair.
Offer from England
Calciomercato claims that “a rich offer from England has already arrived on the table of the player’s agent”. Although it’s unknown if City or United are responsible for the bid, Calciomercato says that Sandro will use it as leverage in his impending contract negotiations with Juventus.
Top priority
Apparently signing the left-back up for another stint is “a top priority” for the Italian champions and “there is talk of a demand of €8m net per season plus bonuses”. That is nearly three times what the South American stopper earns currently, and Juve are checking their finances to see if they can stretch that far.
Calciomercato adds that Juventus don’t want to upset their salary balance at the club, particularly after forking out a fair old sum for Cristiano Ronaldo. There is a feeling within some on the board that any new deal for Sandro “should not include an offer of more than €4.5m plus bonuses”.
Napoli lead race for Tonali
Meanwhile, another Sandro - Sandro Tonali - may slip through Manchester City’s fingers. Aware of the Sky Blues’ interest in the 18-year-old Brescia midfielder, Italian club Napoli have stepped up their pursuit of the teenage sensation.
Italian radio station Radio Crc claims that Napoli have opened talks with Tonali’s agent, as well as Brescia, in the hope of agreeing a deal in January.
That would ensure that City’s arrival on the scene in the summer wouldn’t drive up the asking price for a player who has drawn comparisons with a young Andrea Pirlo.
