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Barcelona transfer news LIVE: Neymar move, Spurs offered star, Mane link, Arsenal hijack
Barcelona transfer news is coming thick and fast into Express Sport, and we’re on hand to bring you all the latest updates as Quique Setien aims to sign new players in the January transfer window. Here's the latest on Liverpool star Sadio Mane's link, and Barca's attempts to hijack Arsenal's move for Dayot Upamecano.
Barcelona: Quique Setien praises Messi in first press conference
Barcelona transfer news: Latest updates from the Nou Camp during the January transfer window
Saturday, January 18
Barcelona in Neymar transfer blow
Neymar is finally prepared to sign a new Paris Saint-Germain contract, according to ESPN.
The Brazilian was linked with a high-profile move back to Barcelona this summer.
He was desperate to go “home” to the Nou Camp, it was claimed, but a move failed to materialise.
But, Neymar’s plan to sign a new PSG deal depends on the club’s progress in this season’s Champions League.
Barcelona stance on Vidal exit changes
Barcelona’s new manager, Quique Setien has blocked Arturo Vidal’s exit this month.
The boss is keen to keep Vidal until at least the summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Inter Milan had already offered £13million for the Chilean this month, with all signs pointing towards Vidal’s exit.
But, Setien believes the midfielder can provide added firepower in the middle of the park.
Matthijs de Ligt transfer hits stumbling block
Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt was linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer.
But, the then-Ajax star made the switch to Turin instead.
The Catalans are still interested in signing De Ligt, however, despite his difficult start to the season.
But, they’re unlikely to make a move for the Netherlands centre-back until 2021, because of strict Italian tax rules, claimed the Daily Mail.
Barcelona offer defender to Tottenham
Barcelona have offered Tottenham the chance to sign out-of-favour defender Samuel Umtiti, according to The Telegraph.
Spurs boss Jose Mourinho is hopeful of signing a new centre-back this month, and Umtiti could fit the bill.
The France international has fallen down the pecking order at the Nou Camp after coming back from injury.
With Euro 2020 around the corner, Umtiti is likely to be looking for first-team football to guarantee his place in the France squad.
Sadio Mane urged to join Barcelona
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane must join Barcelona or Real Madrid if he is to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, claimed Mady Toure, who founded the Generation Foot academy in Dakar, where the striker once trained.
“The fact Sadio has won the African Ballon d’Or will spur him on to win the European one too,” Toure told The Guardian.
“That’s his objective. Sadio always told me he would become one of the best players in the world.
“He said that to me and now he is among them but he has to leave Liverpool now. It’s his last year and he has to leave Liverpool when it’s up to go to Barcelona or Real Madrid.”
Barcelona aim to hijack Arsenal transfer
Barcelona have held secret talks with Arsenal transfer target Dayot Upamecano, according to football.london.
The Catalans have already held negotiations with RB Leipzig over a potential deal for the defender.
Setien is eyeing a new central defender over the coming months, and Upamecano is considered an ideal replacement for Samuel Umtiti.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the RB Leipzig star for a number of months, but a deal has so far failed to materialise.
Juventus and Barca in swap deal talks
Juventus have re-ignited the negotiations over a potential swap deal for Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic, claimed CalcioMercato.
The deal would see Juve star Federico Bernardeschi move the other way.
The two clubs were in talks over the exact same deal during the summer, but the move never managed to get over the final hurdle.
Juventus aren’t convinced that the transfer will happen, but both parties haven’t dismissed the talks outright.