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Neymar knocking on Blues' door?

Posted by ESPN Staff

Neymar has been recognised as South America's top player for the past two yearsGettyImagesNeymar could be joining the Brazilian contingent at Chelsea.

Brazil young-gun Neymar might be knocking England's chances of winning the 2014 World Cup but that hasn't stopped the 21-year-old from setting his sights on the Premier League.

According to the Daily Star, the striker - in England preparing to face the Three Lions at Wembley - has declared he is ready for to pack his bags and leave Brazil, with reigning European champions Chelsea a possible destination.

Coaxing him along the way are compatriots and current Stamford Bridge residents Oscar, David Luiz and Ramires – all three of whom feature in Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazil squad to take on England. But with Barcelona lurking in the wings and heavily tipped to have already agreed a future deal for him, Chelsea may need to break the bank – or two – to land the Santos superstar.

West Ham saved Andy Carroll from the Liverpool wilderness, but with rumours circling that he may return to Merseyside or old haunt Newcastle United in the summer, Hammers boss manager Sam Allardyce is on the search for a new hit-man.

And the Sun is reporting Allardyce has found his man in Vitesse Arnhem's Wilfried Bony. The Ivory Coast frontman has reportedly caught Big Sam's eye, with the £12 million rated striker currently the top scorer in the Eredivise having hit 16 goals in just 18 games.

However, the 24-year-old was rumoured to be in the sights of both Liverpool and Newcastle during the last transfer window, and after scoring at the recent African Nations Cup, may be in hot demand come the summer.

Carroll's move away from Upton Park is also causing ripples at former club Newcastle with news breaking that an unsettled Hatem Ben Arfa could be on his way out – if Carroll makes his way back in. And according to the Guardian, it could be Liverpool – Carroll's owners – who snare the highly rated 25-year-old.

Despite an injury riddled past and a sizeable transfer fee, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers remains a strong admirer of the Frenchman. Ben Arfa has increasingly spoken of his desire to return to his homeland, and in particular, current Ligue 1 leaders PSG - but with Carroll as leverage, Rodgers may have found that final piece of the Premier League puzzle.

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