World Football: The Latest Transfer Speculation

The transfer window might be firmly shut but that will not prevent speculation over player movement this summer.

Santos and Brazil midfielder Neymar leads the headlines this week with a high-profile European coach putting together a move for the playmaker ahead of other major clubs.

Manchester United are champions-elect in England but manager Sir Alex Ferguson is already eyeing squad development for next year, according to reports.

Read on for more transfer speculation this week.

Neymar

Santos starlet Neymar has been linked with a host of leading European clubs—including Barcelona—but Bayern Munich have now been credited with interest, according to Sport in Spain (via Metro).

Incoming Bayern coach Pep Guardiola is preparing an astonishing £86 million bid for the 21-year-old to fend off the likes of Barca and Chelsea.

Neymar played down talk of a move to Bayern last month in an interview with Kicker magazine, which was reported by Sky Sports, but the speculation is not going away.

We may not know where Neymar is going until the Brazilian actually signs a contract somewhere. 

Antonio Carlos

Manchester United are monitoring Corinthians defender Antonio Carlos, according to a report in the Sunday People.

The 19-year-old, who is the captain of the Brazil Under-20 side, has been the subject of interest from Sir Alex Ferguson's scouts in South America. According to the report, Corinthians director of football and ex-Arsenal player Edu has been contacted.

Carlos has progressed through the ranks at Corinthians. He helped the youth team to the Copa Sao Paulo de Futebol Junior title last year. 

Hugo Lloris

Barcelona have put together a three-man Premier League short list to replace goalkeeper Victor Valdes in the summer, reports the Sunday People.

With Valdes stating he would not be renewing his contract at the Camp Nou beyond 2014, the search has been on for his replacement.

Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris has only been at White Hart Lane for a matter of months, but is included on the list, along with David de Gea of Manchester United and Liverpool's Pepe Reina.

Valdes wants to broaden his experience when he leaves Barcelona, which has lead to links with a possible swap move with a Premier League club.

Alexis Sanchez

Napoli have joined the chase for Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, reports Football Italia.

The Chile international has become a fringe player at the Camp Nou and has previously been linked with Juventus, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The 24-year-old, who joined Barcelona from Udinese in June 2011, was linked with a move to Manchester City in a Daily Express report on Friday. 

Anouar Kali

West Ham United are facing competition from Ajax and Anderlecht in their bid to sign winger Anouar Kali from Utrecht this summer, reports talkSPORT.

The 21-year-old is rated as one of the best wingers in the Dutch Eredivisie league and has attracted the attention of a number of clubs.

Kali is out of contract this summer and will become a free agent.