Manchester United Transfer News: Neymar Interest Amid Legal Issues, Top Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly asked to be kept in the loop when it comes to developments over the future of Barcelona star Neymar. 

That’s according to the Daily Record’s Duncan Castles, who has suggested the Red Devils are aware they may need another forward soon due to the advancing years of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney.

Despite Neymar agreeing a new long-term contract with Barcelona earlier this season, it’s added that United have yet to give up hope in their pursuit of the player.

Castles also noted that “well-informed sources describe the deal as ‘a sticking plaster’ over a longstanding conflict between the player and his club.”

It’s also stated that Neymar’s situation at Barca has been complicated by the ongoing dispute over his acquisition from Santos. According to Castles, the Brazilian has been “advised that his legal problems could go away were he to leave the Camp Nou.” The 24-year-old is also said to be keen to become a “dominant individual” at a club.

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If United were to get this deal—one that would reportedly be worth around £180 million—over the line it would be an extraordinary coup. WhoScored.com recently summed up what has been a positive month for Neymar on an individual level, as he continues to dazzle in La Liga:

Alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the Brazilian has played some sparkling football. As the youngest of that trio, he is also considered by many to be the future of the Liga champions, a fact emphasised by the long-term contract he signed recently.

While there are issues in the background for the player, with a Spanish court calling for Neymar to spend two years behind bars due to his role in alleged corruption over his transfer, in the main he’s cut a contented figure in Catalonia.

United showed their financial might in the summer when they secured the signing of Paul Pogba from Juventus for a world-record £89 million fee, and they have the funds to test Barcelona’s resolve.

However, it would be a huge surprise if a club with the Blaugrana’s clout were to let their most valuable long-term asset depart.

Bastian Schweinsteiger Targeted

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According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are to receive enquiries for 10 of their players in the midseason window, but Bastian Schweinsteiger is the only one they’re looking to move on.

Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young are just some of the players that are said to be transfer targets for other teams.

“Mourinho is keen to keep the rest of his squad together but will leave it [to] individual players to decide their futures,” continued Luckhurst. “However, the United manager is unlikely to let top-four rivals in the Premier League strengthen their squads with his fringe players.”

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As reported, Schweinsteiger has been linked with a move to Chicago Fire. Despite being on the Red Devils bench for Sunday’s draw with West Ham United, it’s suggested the former Germany international doesn’t have a future at Old Trafford.

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness recently offered his opinion on how Schweinsteiger should handle the situation:

The 32-year-old endured a mixed debut campaign at United. Early on in the season he impressed, but a succession of injuries limited his impact, and we’ve yet to see the best of him since.

Meanwhile, it would be a big surprise if Mourinho was to sanction any significant overhaul of the squad midseason, especially with United still involved in the UEFA Europa League. But even after another summer of big spending, it’s clear there remains an imbalance in the Red Devils squad.