Rakitic set to leave, Neymar tells PSG he wants to join only Barcelona as they submit an improved bid, Sanchez to leave Manchester United on one condition and more: Transfer Roundup, 27 August 2019

We have just a few more days to go until the European summer transfer window closes. With some of the biggest transfer sagas yet to reach their conclusions, we are expecting nothing short of an entertaining last few days in the window.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the top transfer news of the day.

Juventus set to make one final push for Ivan Rakitic

As per reliable sources, Juventus are preparing to make one last push to sign Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic who has been continuously linked with an exit this summer. Il Bianconeri want to make a last-ditch effort to strengthen their midfield before the window closes on September 2.

Juventus and Barcelona had sat down earlier on August 19. However, the clubs couldn't come to an agreement as the offer they discussed was a straight swap between the Croatian international and former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can.

Barcelona are not willing to settle for a swap deal as they are actively trying to reduce the number of midfielders on their payroll. As such, if Rakitic is not going to be included in a swap deal for Neymar, Barcelona are expected to send him out on loan with an obligation to buy in the summer of 2020.

That would be the ideal scenario for Juventus as they wouldn't have to cough up a huge amount this summer. However, the move hinges on Rakitic's decision. The 31-year-old was expecting to extend his contract with the Catalans but is now resigned to the fact that an extension might not happen.

Rakitic might wait to see if he will be used in the game against Osasuna by Ernesto Valverde. If he isn't, he might just decide that it's time to go elsewhere as Barcelona have an abundance of midfielders and are likely to stick to the young guns as they try to build a young spine for the team.

Premier League clubs to discuss transfer window deadline date next month

Should they delay the transfer deadline?

The early closing of the Premier League transfer window has become quite a divisive topic. Mauricio Pochettino recently slammed the decision to have the transfer window closed earlier than the rest of Europe for the Premier League clubs as it has the potential to unsettle squads.

This summer, the Premier League transfer window closed at 5 pm on August 8, a day before the Premier League opener between Norwich City and Liverpool. It is being claimed that several teams are of the opinion that the deadline needs to be extended.

However, there are still no suggestions that the clubs will vote on it when they meet next month. The report suggests that the voting could happen when the clubs sit down for another meeting in November.

Other European leagues' windows close only next week and this has become a source of frustration for the Premier League sides as players from their teams get courted by other European sides even after they lose the opportunity to sign a replacement themselves.

Manuel Lanzini set to extend his contract at West Ham

Manuel Lanzini in action against Watford

Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini is close to agreeing to a new deal with West Ham United which will see him stay at the club beyond 2022. Lanzini currently has 12 months remaining in his contract. However, West Ham do have the option of extending it by 2 years but they want to make sure the Argentine stays at the club beyond the summer of 2022.

As per the report, West Ham have made serious advancements in talks with Lanzini over a new contract and remain confident that he will sign the new deal.

Speaking about his future, Lanzini recently said,

"Yes, we are talking with the club about staying and, of course, I want to stay. It is like my home. It is my fifth season now, I love the fans, the fans love me and the club is amazing."

Talks for Alexis Sanchez ongoing between Manchester United and Inter Milan

Alexis Sanchez could leave for Italy before the transfer window shuts

One thing is for sure, Inter Milan certainly aren't playing around this summer. After signing Romelu Lukaku on a £75 million deal, the Nerazzurri are once again in talks with Manchester United, this time in an effort to engineer a loan deal that will see Alexis Sanchez donning the black and blue kit next season.

According to the latest reports, Inter Milan are confident about sealing a deal before the transfer window shuts next week. The deal will reportedly cost the Serie A outfit about £11 million.

All eyes are on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he has to make a call before it's too late. Manchester United frontman Anthony Martial picked up a thigh injury last week in their defeat against Crystal Palace and his return date is not known at the moment.

Despite this, Inter Milan remain confident that they can sign Sanchez.

Barcelona receive major boost as Neymar finally tells PSG that he wants to return to the Camp Nou

Paris Saint-Germain v RSC Anderlecht - UEFA Champions League

Barcelona have been trying to get Neymar to push for a move from the inside and now the Brazilian has decided to grant them their wish. He has spoken to the Ligue 1 champions and told them that he wants to return to his former club before the transfer window shuts.

Neymar is yet to go public but the latest reports claim that he has privately got the point across to the Paris Saint-Germain top brass. He has told Leonardo that he is not interested in joining any club other than Barcelona which is a clear rejection of Real Madrid.

Neymar is aware of the fact that Barcelona are preparing a new and improved offer for him and understands that now is the time to take a stance. Barcelona reportedly placed a €170 million + Ousmane Dembele for Neymar and this might just be the offer that puts an end to the biggest transfer saga of the summer.

Edited by Arvind Sriram