Barcelona Joins Chelsea, Real in Neymar Chase: Soccer Roundup
By Dan BaynesThe following is a roundup of soccer stories from U.K. newspapers, with clickable Internet links.
Neymar Chase
Barcelona joined Chelsea and Real Madrid in the race to sign 20-year-old Brazilian striker Neymar, the Daily Express reported, citing Barca vice-president Jose Maria Bartomeu.
“We would all like to see him joining after the Olympics,” the Express cited Bartomeu as saying. “If he decides to come to Europe we’ll try to make it Barca.”
Real Wants Dembele
Spanish champion Real wants to sign Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembele for 10 million pounds ($15.5 million), the Sun reported. Real coach Jose Mourinho wants the Belgian international to help fight off the title threat from Barcelona next season, the Sun added.
Blues Bid
Chelsea had a 5.4 million-pound bid for Spanish defender Cesar Azpilicueta rejected by Marseille, which wants 8 million pounds, the Daily Mirror reported.
The European champion is likely to increase its offer for the 22-year-old right-back in the next few days, the Mirror added.
Cazorla’s Medical
Malaga midfielder Santi Cazorla is scheduled to have a medical at Arsenal this week once a transfer fee of 17.3 million pounds is agreed, the Daily Mail reported.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was beaten to the signature of the 27-year-old Spanish international last year by Malaga, the newspaper added.
Spurs Want Stekelenburg
Tottenham Hotspur is making a bid for Netherlands international goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, who is valued at 8 million pounds by his club Roma, the Mail reported.
Stekelenburg is keen on the move and the only sticking point is the Italian club’s valuation of a player it paid 5 million pounds for last year, the Mail added.
source:http://www.businessweek.com