Barcelona want to bring their errant son Neymar back from Paris Saint-Germain just 15 months after his world-record transfer to the French side for €222m (£195m). The Brazilian centre of attention is reported to be decidedly unhappy with life in the French capital and, despite his pariah status in the stands of the Camp Nou, his “people” are reported to have set the wheels in motion for a move back to Spain.
Meanwhile, though fans of nominative determinism would probably prefer Milan Skriniar to stay at Inter Milan, the Slovakia central defender is unlikely to remain there for too long if the number of big Premier League clubs after his signature is anything to go by. Maurizio Sarri wants to bring the 23-year-old to Chelsea, but will face competition from José Mourinho, who is also enamoured with the cut of Skriniar’s gib. A United target last summer, Skriniar has since been linked with a £70m January move to Old Trafford and made all the appropriate noises.
“Even if José is one of the most famous, best, greatest coaches in the world, it’s not something I think of because I’m playing for Inter and am happy here at Inter,” he said last month. “I’m happy in Milan, it’s a great city, even when my parents or friends come here, we have a look around and I’m happy here and relaxed here. When the results are going well too, it’s all even better.” Should Skriniar decide the thought of leaving the Milan metropolis is something he couldn’t possibly countenance, United may move for Fiorentina’s 21-year-old Serbia defender Nikola Milenkovic instead.
Cardiff City are in the market for an out of favour Liverpool full-back and will attempt to take Nathaniel Clyne on loan in January, Clyne’s fellow Liverpool reserve Simon Mignolet is going nowhere, however, what with the goalkeeper having been told that while the club understand his frustration at being second choice, they need him as back-up for Alisson. Borussia Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic continues to be touted as a potential Liverpool recruit and may be allowed to leave for Anfield next summer, when he enters the final year of his contract with the German side.
And finally, Eintracht Frankfurt forward Sébastien Haller could be off to Newcastle in January, but was coy about the prospect when asked by the Rumour Mill’s favourite German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine. Asked what the chances are of him moving to England, the 24-year-old said: “Maybe never … or maybe in two months. It depends on the possibilities that arise. I would never go to the Premier League just to play there. It has to make sense to me. And it has to be the right time for me.” See you down the Bigg Market in January, Seb.
