Transfer Talk: Barcelona keen on Neves; Bayern considers new striker
By Vishal Singh
The 2022 World Cup will take place in November and December, forcing club football to halt until late this year.
The mid-season spectacle will also have an impact on the January transfer window, which will open shortly after play resumes.
With only a few rounds of action left at club level, most European sides are expected to switch their focus on winter recruitment earlier than usual.
On that note, let’s take a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from around the world.
Barcelona in ‘advanced’ talks for Neves
Xavi’s recent decision to use a four-man midfield has yielded mixed results, with the Catalan outfit thrashing Athletic Bilbao over the weekend but falling short against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
If the Spaniard persists with the new approach, Barça would need another midfielder to effectively rotate his squad, and it seems the hierarchy has already started working on boosting Xavi’s options in the middle of the park.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona are in talks to sign Ruben Neves from Wolves. They suggest “everything is very advanced” that would see the Portuguese midfielder move to Spotify Camp Nou on a six-month loan in the winter window. The deal would include a mandatory purchase option at the end of the season.
Arsenal ready to back Arteta’s title bid in transfer window
Club owner Stan Kroenke is impressed with Arsenal’s start to the new season, as Mikel Arteta’s side sit top of the Premier League table with 28 points after 11 matches.
It is understood that Arteta wants to add at least two more faces to his squad in order to maintain his side’s performance and position in the table. Fortunately for the Spaniard, Kroenke agrees with his assessment and will back the manager with “£50 million of hard cash” in January, The Sun have reported.
Palmeiras midfielder Danilo, Shakhtar Donetsk’s talisman Mykhaylo Mudryk, and Villarreal’s Yeremy Pino are on the club’s transfer shortlist.
Thuram on Bayern’s radar
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was amongst the goal-scorers in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over Barcelona on Wednesday night.
However, the Bavarians have struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis in the Bundesliga following the departure of Robert Lewandowski.
The German giants recognise the absence of a typical No. 9 in Julian Nagelsmann’s team, and as per L’Equipe (via GFFN), they are considering a move for Marcus Thuram.
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The French striker has scored 8 goals in just 11 league appearances for Borussia Mönchengladbach and would be available for a bargain fee in January or for free next summer, as his contract expires at the end of the campaign.