Hello and welcome to the football transfer roundup for the day. Despite the fact that the World Cup has begun in full flow, the transfer rumour mill never ceases to create electrifying rumours.
The World Cup provides clubs with scouting opportunities as a number of players will move clubs after the end of the tournament. Today, we have a very well-rounded transfer rumour grinder, which we will begin without further ado.
#5 Premier League
Manchester United
Real Madrid and Manchester United are perhaps the most active clubs in the world. The latter have been looking at players to improve their defence and one of the most problematic position is the left-back.
As a result, Jose Mourinho has been linked with Juventus’ left-back Alex Sandro. Recent reports claimed that the Red Devils have cooled down their interest in the Brazilian but according to Duncan Castles, it is just all a ploy to make the Old Lady lower the price of the full-back because no-one else is apparently interested in the player.
“Manchester United are boxing clever when it comes to Alex Sandro. They are aware that Juventus want to sell the player,” Castles said.
“They are asking over €60m (£52.5m) for him. They think they can cash in and are very aware of Manchester United's interest for more than six months.
“They know the player wants to go there. United know this and know they don't have significant opposition at present.
“So they are allowing the story to go out that they have cooled their interest and are looking at other options at left-back.
“I’m told Juventus will have to lower their asking price considerably before Manchester United would be willing to pay it.”
The interest for Malcom
Meanwhile, Calcio Mercato reveals that three Premier League clubs are interested in Bordeaux’s Malcom, with Inter also among the clubs interested. The Brazilian had a great season in France and has attracted the interest from the rest of Europe.
And now, it is being reported that the French club are open to let him leave on loan with Inter willing to accept the offer. The Italians will be the given the option to sign him on a permanent transfer after the end of the season.
Both Arsenal and Tottenham have been previously linked with the player.
#4 Bundesliga
The want for Mario Gotze
Ever since the report from Sky revealed that Mario Gotze has attracted the interest of several Premier League clubs, news outlets are having a field-day linking him with countless moves to countless English clubs.
According to football.london, Spurs are keeping tabs on Mario Gotze, who scored the World Cup-winning goal for Germany in the last World Cup, as both Arsenal and West Ham are set to rival the Lilywhites. Gotze is reportedly available for as little as £18 million.
Wanyama wanted by Dortmund
Victor Wanyama has a reputation of being of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League. His solid performances from in front of the defence make him a great shield to have.
And according to a report from Goal, who don’t mention which German media is the source of the story, Borussia Dortmund are interested in acquiring the signature of the Kenyan international.
#3 Serie A
Skriniar and Aleix Vidal
After finding it very hard to sign Toby Alderweireld due to Tottenham’s insistence on a high-price for the Belgian, it seems as though Jose Mourinho has shifted his attention towards Italy in order to strengthen his defence.
Inter’s Milan Skriniar is a player who is liked by the Portuguese but Manchester United have failed with a bid for him. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have rejected a €65 million bid for the defender.
Meanwhile, Inter have been linked with a move for Barcelona’s Aleix Vidal in the same report. Inter apparently want to sign him on loan without the obligation to buy him at the end of the season.
Paul Pogba rules our Juve return
France’s hero against Australia Paul Pogba has downplayed rumours that link him with Juventus, claiming that speaking to former team-mate Paulo Dybala doesn’t mean that he is actually returning to Turin.
"I am with the France squad, I don't want to speak about the future of the club and all this," he said.
"Yes, I speak with Dybala, but whether I speak to Dybala or speak with [Samuel] Umtiti, who plays at Barcelona, it's not that I will go and play there."
#2 Rest of the world
Elsewhere, specifically in the second division of England, the Championship, recently-relegated Stoke City have been linked with a move for Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle. According to the Daily Mail, Stoke have made a £10 million bid for him.
They also add that Newcastle are open to selling him in the summer.
In what would be a great move for Leeds United, who have only just recently appointed Marcelo Bielsa as the manager, the Championship club are interested in bringing Juan Foyth on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, according to Varsky Sport.
Finally, Celtic have announced the signing PSG’s Odsonne Edouard after completing a season on loan in Scotland.
"From the moment I walked into Celtic, the club has felt like home to me," the 20-year-old Celtic's official website. "I have been made to feel so welcome by everyone at the club and our fans have given me such brilliant support.”
#1 La Liga
Barca offered Neymar
After only just selling him to Paris Saint-Germain, it seems as though Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Neymar back from the French giants.
The Brazilian has also been linked with Real Madrid of late but Marca claim that he has been offered to Barcelona. The move, however, seems very difficult from a financial standpoint.
Jan Oblak to be sacrificed
According to this report from Don Balon, Atletico may have to sell Jan Oblak – who has a release clause of €100 million – because they might not be able to afford the magnitude of the new deal that Antoine Griezmann has signed with the Rojiblancos.
The report adds that Florentino Perez could take advantage of this situation and sign the goalkeeper, who has also been linked to Manchester United.