Rumour Has It: Neymar rejects Real Madrid, open to Barcelona return

We round up the front and back pages across Europe as Friday sees the transfer rumour mill crank into gear again.

Neymar has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid but the star has rejected that possibility.

The Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil forward, ruled out of the Copa America due to an ankle injury, was reportedly a target for the La Liga giant just two years after leaving bitter rival Barcelona. But Neymar has dismissed any chance of that move, as Zinedine Zidane tries to rebuild Madrid following a tough 2018-19 season.

Still, maybe a return to Camp Nou is possible.

 

TOP STORY – NEYMAR REJECTS MADRID, OPEN TO BARCA RETURN

Neymar has rejected any possibility of a move to Real Madrid , according to Sport .

According to the report, Madrid wanted Neymar as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who left for Juventus last year. But the club's struggles in 2018-19 — it finished third in La Liga, 19 points behind Barca — have seen Neymar turn down a possible transfer.

Read | Neymar to be assessed by PSG after ankle injury

Sport report Neymar could be lured back to Barcelona , where he spent four seasons before joining PSG, as he maintains a friendship with stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

ROUND-UP

- Tottenham star Christian Eriksen wants a new challenge and Inter has joined the race for the reported Madrid target, according to Gazzetta dello Sport . The Times reports Spurs want EUR 113 million for the midfielder.

- Ajax captain Matthijs de Ligt appears closer to deciding his future. The in-demand defender, linked with numerous European heavyweights, is now deciding between just two clubs — Barcelona or PSG — according to RMC Sport . ESPN reports that PSG is favourite to sign the centre-back.

- With Gianluigi Buffon leaving PSG , the Ligue 1 champion is set to make a bid for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea , according to The Times . That could see the Premier League club turn its attentions to AC Milan shot-stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma , according to Corriere dello Sport .

- Likely before the situation around its starting goalkeeper unfolds, Manchester United could land Sporting CP midfielder Bruno Fernandes . A Bola reports United has requested a meeting with Sporting to wrap up a deal — reportedly worth around EUR 78 m — for the Portugal international.

- AC Milan appears to have found its replacement for Gennaro Gattuso. According to CalcioMercato , Marco Giampaolo will leave Sampdoria to head to San Siro on a two-year deal.

- Manchester City is looking to sign Joao Cancelo , with Goal reporting the Premier League champion are in talks with Juventus over a EUR 50 m move for the Portugal full-back.