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Real Madrid transfer news LIVE: Chief leaked Neymar details, Zinedine Zidane quit threat
REAL MADRID transfer news is coming in thick and fast and Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the very latest from the Bernabeu.
Neymar merchandise 'removed' from PSG store
Real Madrid transfer news LIVE updates: All the latest news and gossip from the Bernabeu
Tuesday, August 13
- Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told his friends about the club’s pursuit of Neymar
- Perez told pals the deal was wrapped up three months ago, according to Guillem Balague
- Zinedine Zidane is on the brink of quitting Real Madrid after a broken promise
- Gareth Bale has reportedly threatened Florentino Perez after the club failed to sign Neymar
No deal agreed
PSG and Barcelona have NOT reached an agreement for Neymar.
Barcelona took a team of representatives to Paris to negotiate a deal for the 27-year-old attacker, who is desperate to leave the Parc des Princes.
It’s said the two parties held a four-hour meeting in the French capital - but couldn’t wrap up a deal, Spanish radio Onda Cero says.
Despite that - the report claims that the feeling remains positive that an agreement will be reached in the coming weeks.
Paul Pogba bids…
Manchester United will rejected all bids for midfielder Paul Pogba.
That’s according to ESPN FC, who claim Ed Woodward and Co. have had assurances from the France international about his commitment to the club.
The Red Devils are worried that Real Madrid will launch an offer before the La Liga transfer window closes on September 2.
But United have decided to snub offers - even if they exceed their £180million valuation.
Christian Eriksen update
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will not let Christian Eriksen leave the club without bringing in a big-name replacement according to Darren Bent.
The Denmark international revealed his desire to find a new challenge clear at the start of the summer, with a move to Europe still on the cards.
Bent told Football Insider: “It’s massive that he [Eriksen] is still there. That’s almost like a new signing, now you think to yourself if they let him go, who do they bring in?
“Now me knowing Daniel Levy like I do, I can’t really see him letting someone like Christian Eriksen, someone of his quality, go without having someone to replace him.
“Maybe if they got a Philippe Coutinho or a Paulo Dybala in, then they probably would have done it but they can’t do anything because the window’s shut.”
Donny Van De Beek warning
Erik Ten Hag is confident that Donny Van De Beek will remain an Ajax player this season.
Real Madrid have been linked with the talented playmaker as an alternative to Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.
But despite numerous claims that the deal is progressing - Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag disagrees.
“Van de Beek only dedicates himself to playing,” Ten Hag said. “I guess and I hope that he stays with us this season. Otherwise, I will hear from Marc Overmars.”
Philippe Coutinho interest confirmed
Bayern Munich are interested in signing Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho.
That’s according to a Barcelona spokesman, who confirmed the German champions are looking to bring Coutinho to the Allianz Arena.
Coutinho could be allowed to leave the Nou Camp to generate funds and make space for international compatriot Neymar.
"There is interest from FC Bayern, but there is no agreement. That is all there is to say at the moment," the Barca spokesman told Goal.
Neymar deal in jeopardy
Real Madrid could miss out on their pursuit to bring Neymar to the Bernabeu, due to the transfer stances of Gareth Bale and Luka Modric.
Neymar is desperate to leave Paris Saint-Germain before the European transfer window closes later this month, with Spain his preferred destination.
Spanish outlet Sport have revealed that despite both clubs being open to getting a deal over the line, two players are holding up the process.
Former Tottenham team-mates Bale and Modric are the players in question, with both keen to see out their lucrative contracts in Madrid rather than find regular football elsewhere.
The report goes on to to reveal that Bale will only part ways with the club if they pay out his contract in full, which has angered Florentino Perez.
Lionel Messi phone call
Lionel Messi has reportedly phoned Neymar to persuade him to reject Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane’s side have emerged as contenders to sign the Brazilian forward, 27.
But Spanish newspaper Marca claim Messi rang Neymar to convince him to opt for a return to the Nou Camp instead.
The Brazilian’s PSG departure looks almost certain after the club removed merchandise bearing any reference to the player from the shelves of their club shop.
Neymar deal WAS wrapped up
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told his friends about the club’s pursuit of Neymar.
That’s according to Spanish Spanish expert Guillem Balague, who claims Perez told pals the deal was wrapped up three months ago.
“Florentino, who wants him, said privately 3 months ago he had him all tied up. But since then the song has changed few times,” Balague tweeted on Tuesday.
Real Madrid, though, look to have missed out on Neymar’s signature with La Liga rivals in talks to sign the Brazilian for £93million plus Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic.
Zidane on brink of quitting
Zinedine Zidane is on the brink of quitting Real Madrid after breaking his promise to Manchester United star Paul Pogba.
Zidane has spent the summer instructing Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez to secure the signature of Manchester United midfielder Pogba.
But journalist Diego Torres has told the Independent that Zidane is on the brink of resigning having not got his man.
“Not signing Pogba puts Zidane on the brink of resigning,” Torres, who works for El Pais, said. “Zidane personally promised Pogba he would bring him to Madrid, and now he is left looking bad.
“This has only increased the lack of confidence between Zidane and Florentino. For Zidane, his project and Pogba are almost the same thing. Nothing that he was promised has really come to pass.
“Zidane returned as a protective shield for Florentino, but he has already fulfilled that political and social mission.”
5. Madrid? They’ve not made an offer. Getting Neymar is seeing as strategical. Would change a mood that now is pessimistic. They’ll wait in the wings
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 13, 2019
6. Florentino, who wants him, said privately 3 months ago he had him all tied up. But since then the song has changed few times
Gareth Bale threat
Gareth Bale has reportedly threatened Florentino Perez after the club failed in an attempt to hijack Barcelona’s move for Neymar.
Real Madrid star Bale is still at the Bernabeu, despite Zinedine Zidane’s determination to get him off the books this summer.
And Catalan newspaper Sport say Real’s recently offer for Neymar has not sat well with Bale, who was going to be used as bait.
He is said to have threatened Perez, insisting he would speak out about his state of mind on treatment he considers ‘inappropriate’.
Manchester City avoid transfer ban
Manchester City have avoided a transfer ban despite admitting to breaching regulations relating to the international transfer and registration of under-18 players.
The Premier League champions have instead been fined £314,650 by FIFA after breaching article 19, among others, of the world governing body's regulations on the status and transfer of players.
A FIFA statement read: "The Disciplinary Committee took into account the fact that Manchester City FC accepted its responsibility and sanctioned the club with a fine of Swiss francs 370,000."
The Premier League champions were facing a ban from making signings, a punishment meted out to Chelsea - for two transfer windows - earlier this year.
The GOAT debate
Cristiano Ronaldo has put his case forward to go down as the greatest player of all time ahead of Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo feels he has accomplished more because he has been so successful at numerous clubs.
Manchester United, Real Madrid and now Juventus, the striker has flourished in every squad.
"The difference between me and him is that I went to different clubs and won the Champions League,” Ronaldo told DAZN. “I have been Champions League top scorer six times in a row.
“There are many players who have won the Cup five times. I identify myself with this competition.
“Messi is an excellent player, he will not only be remembered for the Ballon d'Or but also for being always at the top, year after year, like me."