Here are the top transfer stories and rumours from 12th November 2016 featuring Manchester United's attempts to sign a Barcelona midfield general. Meanwhile, John Obi Mikel will play for a new club in January and has all but agreed his new move. Elsewhere Real Madrid are courting Man United’s young sensation for an audacious transfer bid in the coming seasons.
Juventus aiming to make Man United pay for Pogba's transfer
Juventus had sent one of their key scouts to watch Memphis Depay play in Holland’s game against Belgium as The Old Lady are looking to sign the out of favour winger from Manchester United. Daily Express understands that Juventus are interested in a full-time move but are yet to open negotiations with Manchester United. The Red Devils are eager to ship Memphis away from Old Trafford themselves after a horrible 18 months at the club.
Man United linked with Ivan Rakitic
Manchester United are hopeful of convincing Ivan Rakitic to sign for them before the Croatian agrees a new deal with Barcelona. As per Daily Star, Rakitic is yet to pen his new contract with Barcelona and is open to other offers as well. United are never shy of attempting to sign world class midfielders and are hopeful over Rakitic’s transfer next summer.
Iwobi discusses potential Barcelona move
Arsenal youngster Alex Iwobi’s father has come out advocating his son’s decision to stay at Arsenal for many seasons to follow. According to Sr Iwobi, his son would reject a move to Barcelona even if the Catalan giants come calling with a bumper new deal which would triple Iwobi’s current salary. The 19-year-old has settled into Arsene Wenger’s first team this season and could sign a new long-term deal to fend off interest from clubs like Barcelona.
Liverpool fearful of a £65m bid from the Catalan giants
Speaking of Barcelona, the Catalan giants are preparing a huge £65million bid to sign Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho next summer, according to reports from Daily Telegraph. The report claims that there is more to Coutinho’s Barcelona links as the La Liga club are genuinely interested in signing the Brazilian playmaker who has scored 5 and assisted a further 5 goals this season.
Obi Mikel has a new club ... sort of
Chelsea’s midfield star John Obi Mikel has opened talks with Marseille over a January move after being told to find a new club by Antonio Conte. Obi Mikel is no longer a part of Conte’s plans at Stamford Bridge with N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic being his trusted options in midfield. Obi Mikel is expected to sign a contract in the coming weeks and join the Ligue 1 side starting January 1.
Schweinsteiger will soon move to MLS
Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger held four-hour talks with Chicago Fire earlier this week about a move to the MLS side. Those discussions could see the end of a torrid run for the former World Cup winner who has been frozen out of United’s starting XI by manager Jose Mourinho.
Real Madrid want Marcus Rashford
Real Madrid are monitoring Marcus Rashford’s situation at Manchester United after reports have come in lately of the striker not being happy over his starting position. Rashford wants to play through the middle but due to lack of options out wide, Mourinho has constantly used him on the wings which has not allowed Rashford to get amongst the goals. Real Madrid are hopeful of pouncing on the opportunity and link Rashford with his boyhood idle and former Man United great Cristiano Ronaldo.
