World Football Gossip Roundup: Wesley Sneijder, Edinson Cavani, Neymar, Pato

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With the January transfer window inching ever closer, the names are becoming bigger and the rumors juicier. And in this Thursday edition of the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup, we've got plenty of both.

There are big names, from Wesley Sneijder to Edinson Cavani to Neymar, Alexandre Pato and David Villa. There are also juicy rumors, most of all a €55 million figure floating around the southern tip of Italy.

Want to know more? Keep reading for all the details.

Wesley Sneijder Representative: No Deal with Tottenham

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One of Wesley Sneijder's representatives has denied that the Dutch midfielder is set to sign with Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur (via Goal.com).

Sneijder, 28, is widely expected to leave Inter Milan after a dispute over a new contract. Previous reports out of Italy claimed Sneijder had reached a deal to sign with Tottenham in January (via ESPN.co.uk).

"There is nothing, absolutely nothing true about that," Sneijder's representative told Algemeen Dagblad.

Napoli Turned Down €55 Million Bid for Edinson Cavani?

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Napoli chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis has said Napoli turned down a €55 million bid for Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani during the previous transfer window (La Gazzetta dello Sport via ESPN FC).

Cavani, 25, joined Napoli from Palermo in 2010. He has scored 62 league goals for the club.

De Laurentiis said:

Last summer I was offered €55m for Cavani and I decided not to sell him. Instead I gave him a new contract by offering him some important money and then in September, we sat down and decided on his rescission clause. If someone wants him now, they’ll have to give me €63m!

Neymar Rules out January Transfer

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Brazilian striker Neymar has said he will not transfer to a new club in the January transfer window (via Sky Sports).

Neymar, 20, turned professional with Santos in 2009 and has won 27 caps for Brazil's senior side. He has been linked with several top European clubs, including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea.

Neymar, however, has said he will remain with Santos through the January transfer window.

I am happy at Santos, with my family, son, friends, so it's not the moment to leave. That moment will come because I have the dream of playing in Europe since I was a kid, but that moment hasn't come yet. Today, I don't see myself playing for any other team (besides Santos).

He also said he does not have any destination in mind, adding: "I don't have any preference for a specific club or country."

Alexandre Pato Nearing Moving to Corinthians

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Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato is close to joining Corinthians from AC Milan, according to an Italian report (via Eurosport-Yahoo!).

Pato, 23, joined Milan from Internacional in 2007. He has won 20 caps for Brazil.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corinthians will pay €15 million. Pato cost Milan €22 five years ago.

Milan vice president Adriano Galliani said: "The meeting went very well. But the negotiations are still not complete. We’ll meet again in Sao Paulo at the end of the year."

Swansea City Boss Denies David Villa Rumors

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Swansea City manager Michael Laudrup has dismissed reports linking the Welsh club with a move for Barcelona's David Villa (via Daily Mail).

Laudrup, who is in his first season with the Premier League club, said:

There have been a lot of rumours, but the only Villa coming to Swansea is Aston Villa. He is a fantastic player, but unfortunately I don’t think he will be coming to Swansea. In fact, although I haven’t spoken to (Andoni) Zubizarreta or (Tito) Vilanova, I think he will stay at Barcelona.

Villa, 31, has been linked with a move away from Barcelona, with Arsenal and Chelsea also thought to be interested. He joined Barca from Valencia in 2010.

 

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