UK Back Pages: Manchester United Linked to Secret Neymar Talks in Wild Rumour

The transfer window is coming to a close; Manchester United are looking for a marquee signing, and suddenly they've been linked to Brazil and Barcelona star Neymar.

The Sun has billed Saturday's story of secret talks between United and Barcelona as a "world exclusive"—and it's certainly a bold one:

If it's right, it would represent an astonishing signing. But given that Barca are restricted from signing new players until January and just sold Pedro to Chelsea, it seems like a long shot.

And Manchester United fans seem to be treating the rumours with a pinch of salt and a bit of fun, using the hashtag #IfManchesterUnitedSignNeymar:

Note: Tweet contains mild profanity.

In the same paper, on the same page, there's a story that would be big enough to dominate most back pages, but on this occasion it is restricted to a small column on the left.

Paul Pogba is the subject of a £69 million bid by Chelsea, which a deal apparently having been agreed. Pogba rumours have been quiet for a while, but Chelsea's late flurry of transfer activity and the approaching deadline appear to have given new life to the talks.

Elsewhere, the stories are less dramatic—but perhaps more likely. 

The Daily Mirror leads with Sam Allardyce being the manager on standby if Dick Advocaat leaves Sunderland after a bad start this season:

In the Daily Star, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho names seven players whose form he's not happy with: Gary Cahill, John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard:

In fairness, he adds that his own form is his biggest concern of all.

Speaking of form, the broadsheets are more concerned with the England cricket team's form—after two days, the home side look like they are set for a huge defeat in the final Ashes Test at the Oval.

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