With Barcelona and Manchester United among the top clubs still looking to make the most of the opportunity offered by the summer transfer window, we will not have to complain about lack of excitement in the footballing world any time soon.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top transfer news, rumours and updates that made headlines on 17 June 2019.

Barcelona to sign Neymar and 4 others this summer

Real Madrid were expected to go out swinging in the transfer window this time around after being relatively dormant over the past couple of ones. And they were taking no prisoners the way they’ve already gone about their business. Having secured the services of most of their top targets, they look all set to close the gap with Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are struggling to find their feet in the transfer market. Now Lionel Messi has urged the club to show more ambition and wants the Cules to sign up 5 players before the window is shut.

The first among them is Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels as a replacement for Jasper Cillessen. Casteels is affordable at around €10 million and will not mind playing second fiddle to Marc Andre ter Stegen.

Secondly, Messi wants Barcelona to sign Junior Firpo, the Real Betis defender who, at 22, has already become one of the best defenders in the league. Firpo would be a good replacement for Jordi Alba whose future is also pretty unclear at the moment.

Though the Matthijs De Ligt saga has now dragged on for longer than it should have, he is still wanted at Barcelona. Now to address the elephant in the room, Messi wants Barcelona to get Neymar back on board. However, given the way the parties left their relationship a couple of summers back, it could prove to be quite complicated.

Messi is also keen on Griezmann and as per the report, Barcelona will announce the Frenchman’s signing in the first week of July.

Real Madrid to offer Isco/ Bale in exchange for Paul Pogba

Real Madrid have quite a few outcasts on their list and they will use either Isco or Gareth Bale as leverage in a bid to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United. Pogba had claimed that Real Madrid is a dream move and that he wants to work with Zidane. The latter had also revealed his admiration for the 26-year-old.

Pogba also confirmed just a day back that he is keen on taking up a new challenge. Speaking on a promotional tour in Tokyo, Pogba said,

Derby confirms Chelsea have not made contact over Lampard following Sarri exit

Managers just do not seem to last long at Chelsea. Maurizio Sarri called it quits after a quite turbulent season at the helm and has now left the Blues looking for a replacement. And that is just one of Chelsea’s many worries as they are also serving a transfer ban.

Frank Lampard has been widely tipped to take over at Stamford Bridge. However, Lampard’s current club Derby County has denied all such claims. Derby owner Mel Morris said,

RB Leipzig boss Ralf Rangnick has now confirmed that no club has made contact over German striker Timo Werner. He also admitted that he wants the 23-year-old to stay at the club. Timo Werner has been linked with Liverpool.

He has also rejected the chance to sign an extension at the Bundesliga club and that had led to much speculation. However, Rangnick has now put all rumours to bed but also added that he is not sure how the fans will take to his performances this season as his contract is set to run out next summer. He said,

Atletico Madrid agree deal for Joao Felix, will pay €120 million release clause

After being linked with a raft of top European clubs, the young Portuguese sensation, Joao Felix will join Atletico Madrid. Il Rojiblancos have now reportedly beaten Manchester United and Manchester United to secure the services of the Benfica star who has been dubbed the new Cristiano Ronaldo.

The report claims that the announcement could be made anytime now. Atletico will have to pay Joao Felix’s release clause of €120 million and that would make Felix Atletico Madrid’s most expensive player over Thomas Lemar.

Spending in excess of €100 million is a gamble in any case and it is particularly so when the player is only 19-year-old and relatively untested on meaner fronts. However, it is a risk that Atletico Madrid are being forced to take as their most important player over the last few seasons, Antoine Griezmann, has confirmed that he will leave the club in the summer.

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