The noisy neighbours ruffling some feathers.
Manchester United have, for the past week, expected to bring in Barcelona attacker Pedro for 2015/16.
The player has reportedly agreed personal terms with the English club but a bout of sickness for Brazilian striker Neymar delayed his departure. Pedro scored the winner in Barcelona’s Super Cup win over Sevilla, on Tuesday, and admitted after that he was unsure about his footballing future.
Mundo Deportivo report that United have offered Barcelona €25m for Pedro and will pay the other €5m [the player has a €30m release clause] in incentives and if performance targets are met.
However, the same newspaper has claimed Manchester City are attempting to lure the Spanish international to Eastlands.
City are apparently going to pay Barca the full €30m and are willing to pay Pedro a €2m bonus for signing on.
The transfer world is often similar to a game of dominoes.
If United manage to pull off the €30m transfer of Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi, the La Liga side will contact City about Eliaquim Mangala.
Signed for £32m by City last summer, Mangala had a poor first season in the Premier League. [Super Deportes]
With Jack Wilshere nursing an ankle injury, Arsenal are targeting £22m-rated Sevilla and Poland midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak. [Daily Telegraph]
It would be a gentle, early-morning stretch to describe Mamadou Sakho as a Liverpool fan favourite, but his genial nature means he is well liked at Anfield.
The defender was left out of the Reds’ side to face Stoke, last weekend, and CalcioMercato believe Roma are lining up a bid.
Spurs, meanwhile, still have irons in the striker fire and are hoping to get deals for one or both of Clinton N’Jie and Saido Berahino over the line, for £10m and £20m respectively. West Brom, on the other hand, want £25m for Berahino. [Daily Telegraph & Daily Mail]
Everton are expected to complete a £1m deal for Barnsley defender Mason Holgate today. The last defender The Toffees signed from Barnsley? John Stones.
Want a done deal? QPR have signed Bolton defender Tim Ream for £1.4m.
Sometimes life does have happy endings.
