Transfer news LIVE | Express Sport is on hand to bring you all the latest rumours and gossip
Wednesday 20, February
- Manchester United were interested in signing Miguel Almiron
- Barcelona are close to signing Palmeiras duo Vitao and Luan Candido
- Negotiations with the players’ representatives have reached an advanced stage
- Real Madrid could use winger Gareth Bale as part of a deal to sign Eden Hazard
17:20 UPDATE: Ivan Rakitic to Inter Milan
Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic could be leaving the club at the end of the season, reports claim.
Rakitic’s contract is set to expire in June 2021 – by which time the Croatia international will have turned 32.
Spanish newspaper Sport claim Rakitic’s entourage have pestered Barcelona for a meeting to discuss an extension.
However, Barcelona chiefs have reportedly refused to discuss the situation and say a new contract for Rakitic is not part of their plans.
La Gazzetta dello Sport believe the midfielder will be joining Inter Milan over the summer in a deal worth £35million.
17:15 UPDATE: Arsenal bid
Arsenal are ready to move for Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega this summer.
The Mirror claim Unai Emery is a huge fan of the 30-year-old after working with him at Sevilla and Valencia – and he’s keen to reunite in London.
Arsenal tried to sign Banega in January, however, a deal wasn’t agreed.
The Gunners will have to cough up around £17m for Banega this summer.
17:00 UPDATE: Miguel Almiron
Manchester United were interested in signing Miguel Almiron months before he joined Newcastle, according to his agent.
Almiron became Newcastle’s record signing when arriving from Atlanta in a £21million deal on deadline day.
But things could have been very different for the Paraguay international.
“Manchester United was interested in Miguel Almiron,” his agent Daniel Campo told ParaguayTVHD.
16:45 UPDATE: Barcelona raid
Barcelona are close to completing a £17million double deal for Palmeiras starlets Vitao and Luan Candido.
That’s according to Goal, who claim negotiations with the players’ representatives have reached an advanced stage.
Vitao, who captains the Brazil Under-20 team, is a versatile centre-half who can also operate as a defensive midfielder.
The 19-year-old has already flown to Europe with his agent to ‘complete the formalities’ of an exciting move to the Nou Camp.
Candido, meanwhile, is a talented 18-year-old left-back and will likely join Vitao in Barcelona’s B team or be loaned out to gain experience.
16:30 UPDATE: Chelsea swap deal
Real Madrid could use winger Gareth Bale as part of an audacious swap deal to sign Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
That’s according to Spanish newspaper Marca, who claim Bale has exhausted his ‘extra life’ at the Bernabeu.
Bale, 29, has started just two of Real Madrid’s last seven games under manager Santiago Solari since his return from injury.
The Welshman has found it difficult to displace teenage prodigy Vinicius Junior and could be used to finance summer signings, Marca add.
It’s said Real Madrid would like to ‘take advantage’ of Chelsea’s interest in Bale and use him in future negotiations to sign Hazard.