Tag Archives: Ousmane Dembele

Neymar Close to Finalizing Deal with Saudi Pro League’s Al Hilal

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Neymar is thisclose to finalizing terms for a move to the Middle East.

The 31-year-old Brazilian professional footballer and Paris Saint-Germain forward is close to agreeing to personal terms with Al Hilal and completing a move to the Saudi Pro League, according to ESPN.

NeymarPSG want €80 million ($88 million) for Neymar, but negotiations between the clubs are progressing well, sources said.

Sources added that Neymar is set to sign a two-year deal for €100m a year at Al Hilal, where he would potentially link up with Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

The Brazil international was left out of PSG‘s squad for their opening Ligue 1 fixture of the season Saturday, a goalless draw against Lorient, amid reports of a move away from the club.

A return to Barcelona has been mooted, with Barca captain Sergi Roberto even saying he had discussed the topic with Neymar.

ESPN reported earlier this week that Neymar is keen to rejoin Barcelona this summer, but there is an internal debate at the club around the forward’s signing, with some arguing in favor of the move and others — including coach Xavi Hernandez — believing he would not fit into this Barca team.

The chances of a move happening are remote because of the club’s financial problems and Xavi’s opposition to his return.

Sources told ESPN that PSG, who signed forward Ousmane Dembélé from Barca on Saturday, would be happy for Neymar to leave.

Since moving to France in 2017, Neymar has won five Ligue 1 titles and 13 domestic honors in total, as well as finishing runner-up in the 2020 Champions League final.

Barcelona Reaches Agreement to Sign Brazilian Teen Vitor Roque from Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense

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Vitor Roque is switching sides…

Barcelona has reached an agreement to sign the 18-year-old Brazilian professional footballer and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Athletico Paranaense forward for approximately €40 million ($43.6m).

Vitor Roque,It remains unclear when the Brazilian teenager will be able to join the club, according to ESPN.

ESPN revealed in June that Barca was optimistic of landing Roque as they look for a backup and heir to veteran striker Robert Lewandowski, who will turn 35 in August.

Roque ticked all the boxes and following negotiations led by new sporting director Deco, Barca has struck a deal for the Brazil international.

However, due to the club’s financial problems, it remains unclear when he’ll be able to join his new team, with Barca currently in excess of their LaLiga-imposed spending limit and only able to spend 50% of anything they save or raise on registering new players.

Therefore, the LaLiga champions are working on three different scenarios, which involve Roque either arriving in January, next summer or in the current transfer window.

On Tuesday, Barca’s directors put up a guarantee of €6.7m ($7.3m) against their viability plan to ensure they will be able to inscribe the new contracts signed by Ronald Araújo, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto and Iñaki Peña.

They also still need to register Ilkay Gündoğan, who has arrived from Manchester City as a free agent, and defender Iñigo Martínez, whose signing from Athletic Club is expected to be confirmed this week.

Therefore, any further additions will be subject to players leaving first, with Barca also keen to lighten the load in attack before bringing in Roque, who can also play wide if needed but is predominantly a No.9.

Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembélé, Raphinha, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati have been competing for just two places in the front line since coach Xavi Hernandez switched to a midfield four.

Despite closing a deal for Roque, Barca’s main aim after signing Gündoğan and Martínez is still to find a midfield replacement for Sergio Busquets, who will join Inter Miami CF.

Girona‘s Oriol Romeu is currently the leading target, while ESPN revealed on Tuesday the club are also in talks to sign Real Valladolid right-back Iván Fresneda.

Therefore, sources say signing and registering Roque in the current transfer window is complicated, with January perhaps more likely, although the window remains open until Sept. 1.

Roque caught Barca’s attention after starring for Athletico and Brazil’s youth teams. He helped his club reach the final of the Copa Libertadores last season and recently earned his first senior cap for his country.

The teenager has scored 22 goals in 65 appearances for Athletico, including six in his last five games and one at the weekend in a 2-2 draw against Palmeiras, for whom Real Madrid-bound Endrick was also on target.

Transfer Talks Progressing Between Barcelona & Athletico Paranaense for Vitor Roque

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Vitor Roque may be headed to Europe soon…

Talks between Barcelona and Brazil’s Athletico Paranaense over the transfer of the 18-year-old Brazilian forward are progressing well, according to ESPN.

Vitor Roque,Barca are in the market for a backup striker to Robert Lewandowski and have turned their attention to Roque, with new sporting director Deco leading the negotiations.

Roque is the club’s first option because as well as helping take some of the load off Lewandowski this season, he is also viewed as a player who could one day replace the Poland international, who will turn 35 years old in August.

Reports in Spain suggested over the weekend that Barca have reached an agreement with Athletico Paranaense worth a potential €45 million including add-ons.

Sources close negotiations did not to confirm an agreement to ESPN but did say that talks are advancing and there is optimism a deal will be concluded this summer.

However, agreeing a fee with Athletico Paranaense is only part of the puzzle, sources added, with Barca also needing to free up salary space and room in their squad before committing to signings.

Due to LaLiga‘s financial restrictions, the Catalan club can only spend 40% of anything they save or generate on bringing in new players.

Therefore, they are not in a position to register new signings until they free up some salary space or bring in transfer fees for any outgoing squad members.

It’s for that reason Lionel Messi, who coach Xavi Hernandez had repeatedly stated a desire to sign, confirmed his intention to join Inter Miami, saying he could not wait for Barca to sort their financial issues.

Sources say Barca would also like to lighten the load in attack before signing another forward, with Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele, Raphinha, Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres competing for two positions since Xavi‘s switch to a midfield four.

Roque, who has already been capped by the Brazil senior side, is one of the highest-rated youngsters coming through in the South American country.

After starting his career in America Mineiro‘s youth setup, Roque joined Cruzeiro in 2021, making the move to Athletico Paranaense the following year in a transfer worth around €4.5m.

He has already made over 50 appearances for the Brazilian Serie A side, scoring 16 goals and helping them reach the Copa Libertadores final last year and win the Campeonato Paranaense this year.