Transfer wrap: Santos fight for Neymar, Fiorentina in for Aquilani

Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has reiterated the Brazilian club has no interest in selling star striker Neymar to Real Madrid.

Neymar has been constantly linked with a move to the Spanish giants throughout the off-season, with the La Liga outfit reportedly prepared to activate the 19-year-old’s 45 million pound buy-out clause.

But Ribeiro said it was not a fait accompli that the striker would leave his native Brazil, saying they were confident he would remain with the club.

“We have no interest in selling Neymar. Real Madrid might be willing to pay the buyout clause, but it all depends on the player,” Ribeiro said.

“We are sure of his will to be world champion with Santos. We hope to fulfil his contract here.”

Speculation continues the Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani will soon be leaving Liverpool, with Serie A club Fiorentina now being linked with the 27-year-old.

Aquilani returned to Anfield at the end of last season after a successful loan spell at Juventus, but did not make a permanent move back to his homeland following the Turin side’s refusal to meet Liverpool’s asking price.

But now his agent Franco Zavaglia has confirmed the interest from Fiorentina, but said a deal was still some way off.

“We must still talk with Fiorentina and Liverpool,” Zavaglia told the Adnkronos agency.

“Aquilani is still a Liverpool player. We need to talk to them to see what their plans are for the new season and then we will see. We are evaluating the situation with both parties before we make any decision.”

Meanwhile, Roma director Walter Sabatini has all but confirmed that French striker Jeremy Menez is on his way to Paris Saint-Germain.

The 24-year-old has been given permission to speak with the Ligue 1 side after Bojan Krkic’s arrival at the Stadio Olimpico pushed him further down the pecking order.

“The sale of Menez is a painful choice, even if it is not yet official,” Sabatini said.

“I gave him permission to leave the training camp and to go and meet with PSG. I’m sorry that I will no longer be able to work with him.”

Sabatini also ruled out making a play for Palermo’s Javier Pastore, saying the club had enough cover in the centre of the park.