Man United in club record Neymar bid – Wednesday’s Rumour Round-up
Manchester United made an astonishing deadline day bid for Brazilian superstar Neymar with Sir Alex Ferguson prepared to pay a club record £38 million. United turned to the Santos ace after losing out to Paris Saint Germain in the race for Lucas Moura but was told he wanted to stay in his home country until it had hosted the 2014 World Cup. Ferguson’s pursuit of the 20-year-old, who has scored 113 goals in 190 games for Santos, also puts Wayne Rooney’s future at Old Trafford into serious doubt after rumours of a breakdown in his relationship with the England striker. The Sun
Magpies chasing Blackpool winger – Newcastle United are set to make a fresh approach for Blackpool winger Tom Ince in January after seeing their £4 million deadline day bid knocked back. Magpies boss Alan Pardew had targeted the 20-year-old, son of former England midfielder Paul Ince, after an impressive season at Bloomfield Road that saw him emerge as one of the Championships hottest young talents. Ince has already scored four times in the current campaign and Pardew wants him to provide back-up on both wings. The Mirror
Malouda poised for Lyon return – Lyon have told Chelsea to name their price for Florent Malouda as he moves closer to a sensational return to the Stade Gerland. The France international has slipped way down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge this summer after boss Roberto Di Matteo brought in Eden Hazard, Victor Moses, Marko Marin and Oscar. Di Matteo has urged him to fight for his place but the 32-year-old now has his eyes firmly fixed on a return to his home country after he was left out of the Blues’ 25-man Champions League squad. Lyon are prepared to pay around £1 million for the winger they sold for £13.1m five years ago but that falls well short of the West London clubs valuation. Metro
Gunners prepared to let Arshavin leave for free – Arsenal are ready to cut their losses on Andrei Arshavin by letting him join Dynamo Moscow on a free transfer. The Russian international is surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium and Arsene Wenger wants to remove him from the wage bill. Wenger had hoped to procure a £5 million fee from his admirers but with Zenit St Petersburg and cash-rich Anzhi Makhachkala cooling their interest he is prepared to let the 31-year-old depart North London for nothing. Telegraph
Heskey not on Spaniards wish list – Spanish side Espanyol have denied they are interested in signing free agent Emile Heskey after his release from Aston Villa in the summer. The former England international has been linked with a number of clubs in the last few months with moves to Sunderland, Stoke, Norwich and a stunning return to Liverpool all being rumoured. Espanyol are the latest club to be linked with the 34-year-old but sporting director Roman Planes has categorically denied they want to obtain his signature. Sporting Life
