Rumour Has It: Barcelona hopeful over Neymar, convinced Madrid are interested

Barcelona are still hopeful of bringing Neymar to Camp Nou, but Real Madrid’s interest is rising as they give up on Paul Pogba.

Neymar, 27, is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this close season, two years after joining the Ligue 1 champions from Barcelona for a world-record €222million.

While a return to Barca has been mooted, Madrid are also seemingly interested after accepting they are unlikely to land Pogba from Manchester United.

TOP STORY – BARCELONA HOPEFUL OVER NEYMAR, CONVINCED MADRID ARE INTERESTED

Barcelona are still eyeing a move for Neymar, but the LaLiga champions are convinced rivals Real Madrid are also chasing the Brazilian, according to AS.

The report says Barca believe the forward will definitely leave PSG, who do not want to loan or sell Neymar to them because of a fractured relationship between the clubs.

AS report that Barcelona feel PSG are still hoping Madrid will make a late bid for Neymar.

According to Globo Esporte, Real Madrid are ready to use Gareth Bale and Keylor Navas as part of the deal.

Barcelona want Neymar to publicly state his desire to return to the club and they will offer Philippe Coutinho to PSG as part of a deal, according to Sport.

#PortadaSPORT | Esta es nuestra portada de este viernes, 9 de agosto de 2019. ¡Que la disfruten!https://t.co/BfVJfhn53k pic.twitter.com/kmR6Mm7G6n

— Diario SPORT (@sport) August 8, 2019

ROUND-UP

– Real Madrid’s intensified interest in Neymar comes as they accept their chances of signing Pogba from Manchester United are “practically zero”, according to AS, after the Premier League club failed to sign a potential replacement for the France international before their window shut.

– Coutinho may not have returned to the Premier League, but Barcelona still want to see the playmaker depart. Sport say PSG, Juventus and Bayern Munich are the most likely destinations for the former Liverpool star.

– Luka Modric was reportedly set to be offered to PSG by Real Madrid as part of a deal for Neymar. However, the Croatia international’s camp has told AS the midfielder is not leaving the Santiago Bernabeu.

Luka Modric’s camp has told AS that the Real Madrid midfielder will not be going to PSG. https://t.co/TZQgiouM28

— AS English (@English_AS) August 8, 2019

– Despite giving up on Pogba, Real Madrid still need to strengthen in midfield. Ajax star Donny van de Beek remains the most likely option for Zinedine Zidane, according to AS, but they are waiting amid a potential move for Neymar.

– Manchester United opted against signing a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who left for Inter. The Times report the Premier League club ended talks with Juventus over striker Mario Mandzukic due to the £14m (€15.2m) valuation being deemed too high. Borussia Dortmund are interested in the Croatian, according to Corriere dello Sport.

– Mario Balotelli is a step away from joining Flamengo. According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Italian striker has reached a salary agreement with the Brazilian club, but work is still being done relating to image rights.