Barca prepare summer swoop for Neymar
GettyImagesCould Neymar and Messi become team-mates in the summer?Just when the rumours of Santos superstar Neymar joining Barcelona had lost momentum, the Catalan media steps in with some tantalising gossip. Football Espana claims that a number of Spanish outlets, including Sport.es believe Neymar will join Barca in the summer. Although the 20-year-old has reiterated his desire to see out the remainder of his contract at Santos - keeping him at the club until mid 2014 at least - the reports suggest Barca could line up an offer to fast track the deal. It has long been reported that the two sides have an agreement for the transfer of Neymar and the rumours could see the starlet in next season's Champions League.
Adding some credibility to the Neymar rumours is news that a persistent Arsenal will continue their pursuit of Barca striker David Villa. According to the Sun, the Spaniard is eager to push the deal through in July, meaning the Gunners could receive a £2 million discount on their January offer of £16m. Villa's move would free up some cash and open a place in the squad for Neymar.
Manchester City could complete the biggest makeover since Michael Jackson in the summer, with up to seven players best known for last season's Premier League exploits heading for the exit door. According to the Mirror, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, Joleon Lescott, Scott Sinclair, Aleksandar Kolarov and Maicon could be allowed to leave City, meaning the champions have some window shopping to do in the next few months. The upside for City fans is that all of the moves are reportedly to make way for a number of big name recruits. Watch this space.
Across the city now and Manchester United are poised to line up a £9m move for Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, the Mirror says. The Bosnian stopper will be given permission to open talks with United now that Jack Butland has signed for the club, which may disturb the Red Devils' current No. 1 David De Gea.



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