Ahead of their eye-catching match-up at Camp Nou, Manchester City and Barcelona have dominated the headlines today including the biggest transfer stories of the day. While David Alaba’s move to The Etihad edged one step closer, Neymar is tipped to be the highest paid Barcelona player of all time. On that note, here are the top transfer stories from 18th October 2016.
Pep Guardiola’s £40million move for his former man
Manchester City have held talks with David Alaba over a potential transfer move next summer. Pep Guardiola has identified the full-back position as the weakest in his team and wants to sign two players including Alaba. The Austrian signed a new deal with Bayern earlier this year and City would need to double his salary to £150000-per-week to stand any chance of signing him.
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Luis Suarez was close to signing for Manchester City
In an exclusive report, El Mundo Deportivo have claimed that Manchester City made a late attempt to sign Luis Suarez from Barcelona in a £90million bid. The bid was however turned down following which Guardiola set his sights on Messi. Messi, too, turned down City in order to stay with the Catalan club.
Manchester United to battle Barcelona for world class right back
Manchester United are reportedly set to fight it out with Barcelona over the signing of Valencia defender Joao Cancelo. Although Jose Mourinho has stuck with Antonio Valencia in that role, he reportedly wants a specialist for that position come the start of next season.
Cancelo joined Valencia from Benfica earlier this summer and has established himself as one of the best defenders in La Liga.
Cancelo is valued at £27million and has also attracted interest from Barcelona who are eying a move for the 22-year-old as a replacement for Dani Alves.
Ronaldo wants to see one Liverpool player at Real Madrid
Brazilian great and former Real Madrid striker sees Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho as an ideal signing for Real Madrid. On being asked to choose one player he would like to see play for Real Madrid, Ronaldo said: "I would like to see Coutinho at Real Madrid, the Liverpool player.”
Real Madrid are currently in talks to extend Gareth Bale’s contract at the club and are linked with a summer move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, however, Ronaldo’s words could prompt the European Champions to consider making a move for Coutinho next summer.
Arsenal set to sign former Chelsea defender
Former Chelsea starlet Zech Medley is currently on trial at Premier League rivals Arsenal, according to reports from Daily Star. The 16-year-old left The Blues despite signing a scholarship deal in July earlier this year. Gunners are set to take Medley on trial in the coming weeks and early signs are there for Medley to sign for Arsenal’s under-18 side. The talented defender can play as a central defender and as a full-back.
Michy Batshuayi to leave Chelsea in January
In a rather hair-raising story, talkSPORT have linked Michy Batshuayi with a January move to Inter Milan. The report claims that the Serie A side are looking to sign Batshuayi as a replacement for Mauro Icardi, who has fallen out with the Inter fans.
Despite his bright start to the Premier League campaign, Batshuayi is not getting enough minutes on the pitch and is considering an exit route from Chelsea in January.
Saint-Etienne to sign under-fire Arsenal striker in January
Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne are closing in on a loan deal to sign Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo in January, according to reports from Calciomercato. The 23-year-old striker has not played a single minute for Arsenal this season and his loan deal to Leeds United was blocked by manager Arsene Wenger.
However, Sanogo is now certain to quit the club in January with Saint-Etienne favorites to sign the attacker.
