World Football Gossip Roundup: Neymar to Barca, Jurgen Klopp, Fernando Torres

Wednesday is here, and to get you over the hump this week, I've returned from my one-day vacation with plenty of juicy rumors for you to ruminate over.

As ever, the rumor mill is full of tricks and treats. A day after throwing millions at Messi, Barcelona have supposedly won the Neymar sweepstakes and made a down payment on the budding Brazilian superstar.

Jurgen Klopp could be on his way to Chelsea, unless he's not. Meanwhile, Charles N'Zogbia could be heading to France, unless he's perfectly happy at Aston Villa.

Arsenal, as always, are supposedly chasing a few players you may or may not be entirely familiar with.

Ready? Let's get to it.

Jurgen Klopp to Chelsea?

This rumor may have died before it really got going.

Yesterday, the Mail reported that Chelsea wanted to make Jurgen Klopp their next manager. Today, though, the Borussia Dortmund manager quickly ruled himself out.

That doesn't mean there's no chance, of course. However, as many observers have pointed out in recent weeks, it would take a crazy man to want to work for Roman Abramovich.

Neymar to Barca?

The Neymar sweepstakes are over, according to Spanish radio network Cadena SER.

Barcelona have reportedly reached a deal to sign Neymar in 2014. In the meantime, the Spanish giants have made the first payment on what's sure to be a mega-deal.

We've been here before, of course. Last fall, reports leaked that Neymar would sign for Real Madrid for £53 million. It didn't happen.

El Niño to Juve?

Fernando Torres scored twice for Chelsea over the weekend against Leicester City in the FA Cup. Now he's being linked with a move to Italy.

According to Metro, Torres is wanted by Juventus, who have reportedly made contact already with an individual close to Torres himself.

It all sounds a bit James Bond-ish, but that's apparently what happens when a big-time striker finally starts scoring goals.

Arsenal's Odds and Ends

The Sun's daily Arsenal speculation today indicates that the Gunners are after central defender Aymen Abdennour of Toulouse.

Abdennour, a 22-year-old Tunisian international, would cost around £5 million and would spawn countless bad puns such as the one in The Sun's headline.

Footylatest, meanwhile, reckons that Arsene Wenger is chasing Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio of Juventus. It must be true, because the report says Marchisio has played "just 135 times in six years" at Juventus.

Charles N'Zogbia Staying or Going?

Charles N'Zogbia is happy at Aston Villa, thank you very much. The French winger said so himself.

Problem is, the Daily Star has linked his club with a move for Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud.

The makeweight in the potential deal?

Yup, Zogs himself.

Milos Krasic to England, for Real This Time

Finally, here's something familiar.

Juventus midfielder Milos Krasic is again being linked with a move to England. Once again, according to the Mail, the interested parties are Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

It feels like we've been here before.

Oh, wait. We have.

Follow @MikeCummings37