Transfer talk: Man United ready to break world record, Leverkusen warn Arsenal off Hernandez

Neymar has been linked to Manchester United in the latest media transfer rumours, although it is thought to be part of the stalled contract talks with Barcelona. Stringer / Reuters

The latest football transfer news and speculation from around Europe, including Manchester United’s world-record attempt for a Barcelona forward.

Manchester United

As Manchester United’s search for forward reinforcements continues, expect the media to cast the net wide in search of potential targets. The latest? According to reports in Spain, United are preparing to break the transfer world record by activating Neymar’s buyout clause at Barcelona to take the Brazilian striker to Old Trafford.

Neymar, 23, has emerged as one of the world’s most feared forwards, scoring 16 goals in 23 appearances this season to form part of Barca’s record-breaking front three alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

Despite Neymar’s status at Barcelona, speculation that talks have stalled over a new contract have led to reports that United could offer the £140 million (Dh760m) required to open discussions over a move to the Premier League giants.

While United certainly have the financial capacity to pull off such a deal, these reports feel like they have surfaced to create leverage in Neymar’s attempts to secure a new contract at Barcelona, much the same way the Sergio Ramos reports did in the summer proved.

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Liverpool

One deal that does look likely to go ahead is Liverpool’s move for Red Star Belgrade teenager Marko Grujic.

A deal for Grujic has been in the pipeline for a few weeks and the 19-year-old midfielder confirmed as much on his Facebook page recently.

"On 4th January I will become a Liverpool player," he wrote, despite the protestations of his father.

Indeed, Red Star revealed a £5.1m offer from Liverpool had been accepted, with Grujic returning to the club on loan for the remainder of the season.

“In the last 10 days we have received three formal offers for the transfer of our player Marko Grujic: from Anderlecht €2m, Stuttgart €5m, and from Liverpool we received an offer worth €7m and 10 per cent of the next transfer,” said the club.

Bayer Leverkusen

Arsenal’s reported interest in Mexican striker Javier Hernanadez is a waste of time, according to his club Bayer Leverkusen.

Hernandez, 27, was sold by Manchester United to Leverkusen in the summer and has proven to be an instant success in the Bundesliga, scoring 19 goals in 26 matches.

His fine form has led to speculation that Arsenal would attempt to prise him back to the Premier League, with manager Arsene Wenger keen to add a striker to his squad.

However, Leverkusen sporting director Rudi Voller said any offers will be dismissed.

“It’s easy to reject offers when you are in a position you don’t need to sell,” Voller said.

“We will keep all the players we want to help us achieve our goals.”

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AC Milan

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is a transfer target for Serie A club AC Milan, according to media reports.

Ivanovic, 31, has been a mainstay of the Chelsea defence for seven years, although his disappointing form this season has led to suggestions the Serbia international could be offloaded in the summer.

AC Milan are reportedly ready to offer Ivanovic an escape to Italy, although fierce rivals Inter Milan are also thought to be interested in the full-back.

This is a deal that would make sense, more so at the end of the season than in January, as Chelsea are expected to make major changes next summer to avoid another calamitous campaign.

Lazio

Staying with Italy and interest in Premier League defenders, reports in the Italian media claim Lazio are set to make a contract offer to Liverpool centre-back Kolo Toure.

Toure, 34, is a free agent at the end of the season, and given his age and peripheral role under Jurgen Klopp, is expected to leave Anfield in the summer.

Under the Bosman ruling, Toure is free to open talks with non-Premier league clubs and is able to sign a pre-contract agreement.

If Lazio’s interest is indeed solid, the Serie A club could decide to begin talks in the near future and get the deal signed, sealed, and delivered early.

Tottenham

England winger Andros Townsend is heading towards the Tottenham exit and could spark a bidding war among Premier League clubs, according to British media reports.

Townsend, 24, has fallen down the pecking order under Mauricio Pochettino, with the Argentine preferring compatriot Erik Lamela, and Belgian Nacer Chadli. The winger has been demoted to the Under-21 side and will face Manchester United’s U21s on Monday evening, a move that originally occurred when he had a bust-up with fitness coach Nathan Gardiner at the start of November.

While Townsend’s future at Spurs looks perilous, Premier League interest is high, with Newcastle, Sunderland, Aston Villa, and Southampton all credited with an interest.

This is a move that looks likely to happen this month, although a loan deal is a more probable short-term solution.

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