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Good evening and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours round-up. The January market may now be closed, however, that will not stop the clubs from looking at potential summer recruitments, and as always, there is news which makes headlines irrespective of the transfer window.
On that note, let's take a look at all the top transfer news that made headlines on February 1, 2018.
Premier League
Manchester United to make a move for Neymar
In a sensational report by Don Balon, it has been claimed that Manchester United are set to make an audacious move for Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar in the summer. The move is reportedly being sponsored by United's shirt sponsor Chevrolet, who want the English giants to have Neymar as the poster boy at the club.
Paul Pogba has not succeeded in that aspect, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leaving soon and Alexis Sanchez is not seen by the car company as the club's face. Jose Mourinho has been a long term admirer of the Brazilian hitman and would love the club to sign him a player of such calibre. The move, though, won't be easy as Real Madrid are also looking at the prospect of bringing Neymar back to Spain.
Arsenal had a late £12 million bid for Jonny Evans
According to Express and Star, Arsenal had made a last-ditch effort to sign Jonny Evans from West Bromwich Albion. It is believed that the Gunners had made a £12 million bid for the central defender which was instantly rejected by West Brom as it was well below their valuation. Evans was linked with Arsenal during the entire winter market but at the end, Evans would be seen in a Baggies shirt until the end of the season.
Serie A
AS Roma ended Daley Blind's pursuit after Manchester United's demands
Daley Blind was reportedly Roma's number one choice to replace Emerson Palmieri, who joined rivals Chelsea towards the end of the transfer window. The Italian giants were ready to take the Dutchman on board for a short loan spell but according to the Express, Manchester United's insistence on a permanent deal made Roma end their interest in the utility player. Roma then went on and signed Jonathan Silva on loan from Sporting Lisbon.
Dries Mertens happy at Napoli
Despite being linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and a number of Chinese Super League clubs, Dries Mertens today revealed that no club approached him in the January transfer window. Goal has reported that Mertens is happy in Napoli and is feeling like "a kid in a toy store". The 28-year-old has played an influential role this season in Napoli's one-point lead at the summit of the Serie A table.
Bundesliga
Max Meyer to make a decision on his future soon
Just as Leon Goretzka, another talented player from Schalke is in his final year of contract. Max Meyer has less than five months remaining on his current deal with the club now looking to avoid a repeat of the Goretzka saga. According to the Mirror, Arsenal are interested in taking the 22-year-old on board next season.
But Schalke's CEO Christian Heidel is confident that Meyer will extend his contract soon. Heider said as quoted by Mirror:
"Max will be deciding shortly if he wants to stay at Schalke past the summer. Max is very happy here, Schalke is his home, we will try to make it him as comfortable financially as possible. He is playing the best season of his life, and the coach has found a position for him that Max didn't believe he could play."
Kaiserslautern seeking replacement
The Bundesliga 2 side have today confirmed as reported by Four Four Two that they are now on the lookout for a new head coach after current manager Jeff Strasser was advised to take a break from management. Strasser had received medical treatment at halftime last week against Darmstadt which was widely reported as a heart attack for the 43-year-old.
It was later revealed, though, that cardiac arrhythmia was the reason for Strasser's discomfort. The match was abandoned after the news broke out with the manager now currently recovering from his ailment and has been advised four to six weeks of rest.
La Liga
FC Barcelona to target David Alaba in the summer
The Catalans are ready to renew their interest in Bayern Munich's David Alaba in the summer. The Austrian left-back has long been linked with a move to Barcelona with AS now reporting that technical director Robert Fernandez has requested the Barcelona's president Josep Bartomeu to provide funds for Alaba in the summer.
Signing the talented fullback won't be an easy task as he is a crucial member of Munich's side and has a contract with the Bavarians until 2021.
Samuel Umtiti to sign an extension with FC Barcelona soon
Mundo Deportivo reports that FC Barcelona have made renewing defender Samuel Umtiti's contract their top priority and are confident of doing so. The fact that the centre back has a current deal which runs until 2021 and a release clause of €60 million has made the club hierarchy lose some sleep.
After Aymeric Laporte's departure to Manchester City, Barcelona are looking to avoid any such mistake and are hopeful of making Umtiti sign a new deal soon where his release clause and his wages are set to be increased.
Rest of the world
Zlatan Ibrahimovic agrees a move to the MLS
After a string of injury problems, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is looking to end his stint in the Premier League.
According to L'equipe, Ibrahimovic has agreed to a deal with Los Angeles Galaxy and will travel to America in March before the start of the new MLS season. The Swede striker will continue his conditioning work at Manchester United until then.
Southampton to renew Quincy Promes interest in the summer
After failing to land him in January, Southampton are now expected to renew their interest in Spartak Moscow's Quincy Promes in the summer. The Daily Mail understands that Southampton remain confident of signing Promes and will wait for the 26-year-old until the end of the season. Southampton had made a bid of around £25 million for the winger last month which was rejected by the Russian club instantly.
