Real Madrid suffer blow in Neymar pursuit, Arsenal and Liverpool to battle it out for Bundesliga star: Transfer round-up, 6 February 2018

Paris Saint-Germain v Celtic FC - UEFA Champions League
Where does Neymar's future lie?

Good evening folks and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Though the January transfer market has closed, it has not stopped the clubs from looking at potential summer recruitments.

And as always, there are stories which make headlines irrespective of whether the transfer window is open or shut. On that note, let's take a look at all the top transfer news that made headlines on February 6, 2018:


La Liga

Neymar will not join Real Madrid

This is a revelation that has been made by Luis Fernandez, PSG's academy head. Fernandez has claimed that Neymar will stay put in Paris and will not leave Parc Des Princes despite Real Madrid's known interest in the Brazilian.

Talking to Cadena SER, Fernandez claimed, "I put my hand in the fire because Neymar is not going to go to Real Madrid, he is showing that he likes to play here. If PSG has gone to look for Neymar or Mbappé it is for them to stay, not for them to leave."

Sergi Roberto to sign an extension soon

FC Barcelona's utility man is set to renew his contract with the Catalans. Mundo Deportivo reports that Sergi Roberto will sign a new deal between the two legs against Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16 clash this month.

Roberto will sign a new contract until 2022 which will also have a staggering release clause of €500 million.

Serie A

SSC Napoli v Bologna FC - Serie A
Sarri wants assurances over transfer funds before signing a new deal in Naples

Maurizio Sarri to extend his stay with Napoli

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Maurizio Sarri is ready to sign a new deal with the Naples side if the club president guarantees him transfer funds for the summer. Sarri has a summer wishlist and has demanded the club owner to guarantee him transfer funds if he is to sign a new deal.

Chelsea have been linked with Sarri by the Sun (via Gazzetta Dello Sport) in recent days and is tipped to take over from Antonio Conte with the Blues ready to pay his £7 million summer release clause.

Italy concede defeat in Antonio Conte pursuit

The Italian FA has called off their chase of Chelsea's Antonio Conte to take over the national team for the second time in four years. Conte has distanced himself from the Azzuris job and is reportedly keen on continuing at Chelsea. Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini of Zenit St. Petersburg is now the FA's favoured choice of manager.

Vice Commissioner of the Italian Football Federation, Alessandro Costacurta was quoted as saying by Evening Standard,

“Antonio Conte has pulled out. As Conte reiterated the other day, he wants to continue working as a coach on a day-by-day basis at club level for at least the next 18 months, the length of his Chelsea contract, so he has pulled out of the running.”

Bundesliga

Bayern Muenchen v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - Bundesliga
Demirbay is being chased by Liverpool and Arsenal

Premier League giants to battle it out for Kerem Demirbay

The folks at SportBild have reported that Arsenal and Liverpool are monitoring the situation of Kerem Demirbay at Hoffenheim. The Premier League giants are impressed by the midfielder's form this season as he has become a regular for Hoffenheim under Julian Nagelsmann.

Demirbay has a release clause of £28 million and both the sides are ready to activate it. In 15 appearances this season, the 24-year-old has scored two and assisted one in the Bundesliga.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang blasted by Borussia Dortmund's CEO

Hans-Joachim Watzke, Dortmund's CEO has accused Aubameyang of downing his tools and not giving his all for Borussia Dortmund in the final few months. The Gabonese forward forced through a move to Arsenal with Watzke claiming that there was no way back for Aubameyang after his disciplinary issues.

Watzke told FAZ (as reported by the Mirror),

"We had the impression there will be no new start for him (Aubameyang) in the Ruckrunde (second half of the season). Not with the fans, not with the team. Too much had been damaged through his behaviour."

Premier League

Arsenal v Everton - Premier League
Next in line for a contract renewal

Arsenal to offer Aaron Ramsey a new deal

Aaron Ramsey who scored a hattrick at the weekend against Everton is in the last 18 months of his Arsenal contract. The Gunners want to offer him a new deal but fear that the arrival of two big names in January and the extension of Mesut Ozil's contract will make Ramsey ask for wage parity with the top earners of the club.

Ramsey, 27, has six goals and six assists to his name this season. The Mirror reports that the negotiations with the Welsh midfielder are expected to cause headaches for the club hierarchy.

Joe Hart on Chelsea's radar

Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois is linked with a summer move to Real Madrid with the Belgian goalkeeper eyeing a return to Spain. The Blues have offered him a new deal but are not sure about Courtois' intentions to stay at the club.

The Sun claims that Chelsea have identified Joe Hart as a potential replacement for Thibaut Courtois. Hart is currently on loan at West Ham United from Manchester City. The 30-year-old will be looking for a new club in the summer with City keen on cutting their losses on him.

Rest of the world

Sheffield United v Barnsley - Sky Bet Championship
There's a new boss at Elland Road

Leeds United appoint Paul Heckingbottom

After signing a new deal with Barnsley just a week back, Paul Heckingbottom has now joined Leeds United on a one and a half year deal. Heckingbottom takes over from Thomas Christiansen who was sacked on Sunday.

The 42-year-old will begin his Leeds managerial career on Saturday against Sheffield United and is expected to take his first training session tonight.

Liverpool sign 18-year-old Colombian defender

Liverpool have signed the highly rated Colombian U-20 international Anderson Arroyo. The teenager joins Liverpool from Fortaleza CEIF and will join Real Mallorca on an 18-month loan spell, the Mirror reports.

Arroyo is highly regarded in his native country where he made his first-team debut for Fortaleza aged just 15. Arroyo's performances will now be scrutinized with great attention in Spain's third division.

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