Premier League transfer news: Manolas to United, Premier League club offer more than Real Madrid for Neymar and more - December 26, 2018

Off to PL?
Off to PL?

Hello and welcome to the Premier League latest transfer news and rumours of the day! The day after Christmas is always something to look forward to for football fans. After all, it is Boxing Day – when all Premier League clubs are in action to entertain the fans following Christmas.

But action on the field isn’t the only thing in store for us today as the transfer rumour mill never stops. It continuously churns out stories for us to read and stay updated.

So, without further ado, here are the top stories surrounding the Premier League today…

#5 Ndombele agent speaks out

The agent of Tanguy Ndombele, Duro Ivanisevic, has spoken about the possibility of his client leaving Lyon. Ndombele has been linked with a number of clubs – including Tottenham from the Premier League – of late but he has stayed put in France thus far.

However, Ivanisevic believes that his client could become an elite player under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli, another club he has been linked to.

"Napoli are a great club and even more so now they have Carlo Ancelotti, one of the best managers in the world and, with him, he [Ndombele] could get even better," he was quoted as saying.

He then praised Ndombele for his scintillating form and stated that Lyon’s asking price for their talismanic box-to-box midfielder is in the range of €80 million. He, however, also added that the price could be brought down.

"He is in great form and playing at a very high level. He is the classic box-to-box midfielder who can be the difference maker in attack and defence.

"They are asking for €80million, but that could go down and a compromise could be found."

Finally, he stated that January is not the window in which he moves away from France.

"He won't move in January but we will have a look in the future," he said.

#4 Kovacic admission

Kovacic makes Hazard admission
Kovacic makes Hazard admission

Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who is on loan from Real Madrid, has revealed that his team-mate at the Stamford Bridge, Eden Hazard, has asked him about life at Real Madrid.

The Belgian has openly professed his desire to one day play at the Santiago Bernabeu while representing the Blancos. The Galacticos, too, might be interested in bringing the star as they haven’t been able to fill up the huge void left by Cristiano Ronaldo.

And now, further fueling speculations, Kovacic has admitted that Hazard has asked him about the Merengues but also stressed that they are only committed to doing good things at Chelsea right now.

“He asked me how it was there (at Real) but we are looking forward to having a great season together, to be fully concentrated on Chelsea. He is focused a lot on doing great things with Chelsea,” Kovacic said.

#3 Alassane Plea speaks

Plea could make a big move
Plea could make a big move

With 9 goals and three assists from 17 matches, Alassane Plea has stamped himself as one of the hottest prospects in Europe. As a result, it is of no wonder as to why clubs like Tottenham and West Ham have been linked with him.

And now, there is good news for Tottenham – and not so much for West Ham – as the player himself has suggested that he would love to move to a bigger club. He also openly admitted that his reason to join Borussia Monchengladbach is to use it as a stepping stone to play for a Champions League team one day.

“Yes, there are plans, we always want to play in the best clubs,” he said.

“I wanted to pass an intermediate step and that’s why I came here. It’s up to me to be good, and try to find a super club and play the Champions League.”

#2 Salomon Rondon would like to stay at Newcastle

Rondon wants to stay
Rondon wants to stay

When West Brom were relegated from the Premier League, it was all but a matter of time as to when their best players would leave them. One among them was Salomon Rondon.

The forward was signed by Newcastle on a loan deal and has done decently for the Magpies, scoring four goals and making two assists for his team in 13 Premier League games.

As a result, the Venezuelan now hopes to remain as a part of the Magpies even beyond this season. He also added that he is grateful to Newcastle and, as a result, wants to stay.

“Yes, of course. I am very grateful for the effort the club made to bring me in and for the confidence of the coach and the welcome of the fans. For all these reasons I’d like to continue, but we’ll see what happens,” he said.

#1 Manchester madness

Red Star Belgrade v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C
Red Star Belgrade v Paris Saint-Germain - UEFA Champions League Group C

And we finish off with the madness at Manchester. Both the big clubs in the region are in action today as Manchester United have been linked with a move for Roma defender Kostas Manolas by TMW.

The Red Devils have been scouring the world for a defender for a while now and it seems as though their search might just have halted with the Greek defender. The Roma defender has a release clause of €36 million and United could very well trigger it.

Meanwhile, Manchester City are eying a blockbuster move for Neymar. According to Don Balon, the Etihad outfit have contacted PSG and have informed them that they are going to better any offers made by Madrid for the player.

The report also adds that Neymar would be the joint-highest paid player in the world alongside Messi.

For more Premier League transfer news and rumours, visit our EPL Transfer News page!

Quick Links