Real Madrid ready to sign Neymar as Barcelona rule out move, Manchester City agree stunning swap deal with Juventus and more: Transfer Roundup, 5 August 2019

Where will Neymar play next season?
Where will Neymar play next season?

Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's Daily Transfer Roundup. The Premier League transfer window will shut in a couple of days and you know as well as we do that you cannot predict what's going to unfold over the next few days.

Today, we have an exciting set of updates. Without further ado, let's take a look at the top transfer news and rumours that made headlines today - 5 August 2019.

Real Madrid are interested in a loan deal for Neymar as Barcelona rule out move

Barcelona's only chance of landing Neymar Jr. this summer was dependent on them being able to convince Paris Saint-Germain to agree to a loan deal and then go ahead and sign the player next summer when they're not short on funds as they are now.

However, Barcelona are yet to make a move for the Brazilian who has caused the scene to escalate to the current level all by himself. Neymar wants to join Barcelona and is ready to agree to whatever terms they offer. However, having already signed Antoine Griezmann for a hefty €120 million, the Catalans do not have enough money to shell out for Neymar.

Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, are not too keen on holding on to a player who wants to leave the club. They do not want to see more tantrums as the season progresses and if they decide to go against the Brazilian's will and keep him, they will, in all probability, need to endure that.

Barcelona vice-president Jordi Cardoner, whilst speaking to Catalonian broadcasters TV3, ruled out a move for Neymar, saying:

"As of today, there's no Neymar case, as the president said, and it's complicated.
"We are passive actors. We know he's not happy in Paris and it's a situation that needs to be resolved in Paris.
"We haven't spoken to them. There is a lot of respect between the clubs and if there is a Neymar case one day, we'll talk. Today, at this time, it's ruled out."

PSG understand that none of the giant clubs that could even dream of signing the Brazilian are in a position to afford him this summer. As such, they're open to sending Neymar out on loan for the current season. Florentino Perez has been an admirer of Neymar for a very long time and is very interested in signing him on loan.

Perez wants to add another 'marquee' signing as the club strives to put last season's shortcomings behind them. Real Madrid have the added benefit of having a good relationship with Paris Saint-Germain. Everything now hinges on Neymar's decision. If he is willing to join Real Madrid, a deal could happen in the coming weeks.

Manchester United announce the signing of Harry Maguire

Stoke City v Leicester City - Pre-Season Friendly
Stoke City v Leicester City - Pre-Season Friendly

Manchester United have announced the signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City. The Englishman arrives at United on a deal worth £80 million which makes him the most expensive defender in the world.

On completing his move to Manchester United, Maguire said,

"I am delighted to have signed for this great club."
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Leicester and would like to thank everyone at the club, and the fans, for their fantastic support over the past two seasons. However, when Manchester United come knocking on your door, it is an incredible opportunity.
"From my conversations with the manager, I am excited about the vision and plans he has for the team. It's clear to see that Ole is building a team to win trophies. I am now looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and getting the season started."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed the new signing, saying:

"Harry is one of the best centre-backs in the game today and I am delighted we have secured his signature."
"He is a great reader of the game and has a strong presence on the pitch, with the ability to remain calm under pressure - coupled with his composure on the ball and a huge presence in both boxes - I can see he will fit well into this group both on and off the pitch.

Leicester City priced out of Ake pursuit, will not sign Tarkowski either

AFC Bournemouth v Lyon - Pre-Season Friendly
AFC Bournemouth v Lyon - Pre-Season Friendly

Well, this has come a full circle, hasn't it? Leicester City's antics and insistence on Manchester United breaking the bank in order to sign Harry Maguire has now landed them in trouble. Leicester had enquired about the availability of Nathan Ake and were told that the Dutchman would cost them £75 million, forcing the Foxes to cool their interest in the player.

Ake is two years junior to Maguire. He has appeared a total of 10 times for the Netherlands side and has three years left on his contract. As a result, Bournemouth will not sell him for anything less than £75 million.

More than anything, Leicester do not have the funds to pursue a move for Ake as Hull had a sell-on clause on Maguire's contract when they sold him two years back and stand to earn upto £9.45 million from the sale.

Meanwhile, Leicester were planning on turning to James Tarkowski as their 'Plan B'. However, the Burnley defender will cost in excess of the £40 million the Foxes paid to sign Youri Tielemans and as such, they are being forced to look abroad for cheaper options.

The report goes on to claim that Leicester City could very well end up not signing a replacement for Maguire.

Manchester United end talks with Dybala over player's wage demands

Paulo Dybala is set to stay at Juventus
Paulo Dybala is set to stay at Juventus

It might be disappointing news in the short-term but it definitely is a step in the right direction for Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era. After a couple of days' teasing, Manchester United have decided to pull the plug on their Paulo Dybala pursuit owing to the player's wage demands.

United were discussing a swap deal with Juventus which would have seen Romelu Lukaku heading in the other direction. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been trying to sign young, hungry players and seeing as Dybala was looking to pocket exorbitant wages, decided to walk away as agreeing to terms with him would have been a departure from the manager'svision for the club.

As a result, Lukaku's future is still hanging in the balance. The striker has his mind set on an exit and having missed all the pre-season games and training coupled with the Twitter leak where he exposed the players' top speeds, the Belgian will find it difficult to re-integrate himself with the squad very soon with the new season starting this weekend.

Manchester City set to sign Joao Cancelo with Danilo going the other way

Joao Cancelo in action against Tottenham
Joao Cancelo in action against Tottenham

Manchester City have reportedly agreed a cash (€30 million) + player (Danilo) deal with Juventus for full-back Joao Cancelo. Pep Guardiola had made Cancelo a priority and the club has been trying to put together a deal to bring the Portuguese international to the Etihad all summer. It looks like they have finally been able to pull it off.

As per the report, the deal which will be announced within the next 48 hours will see Danilo going the other way. Cancelo joined Juventus last summer from Valencia and played 25 times for the Old Lady, winning the Scudetto in his first season.

Cancelo will sign a 5-year deal with Manchester City. He will be their third signing of the summer transfer window following the arrivals of Angelino from PSV for £5 million and Rodri from Atletico Madrid for £62.6 million.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram