Transfer Centre

Sunday's Barcelona transfer talk news roundup: Arturo Vidal, Neymar, Philippe Coutinho

By Andy Brent, Reporter | 12 July 2020

Sunday's Barcelona transfer talk: Vidal, Neymar, Coutinho

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer talk for Barcelona on Sunday, July 12.

The buildup to the summer transfer window has now begun, with rumours and speculation continuing to swirl as Barcelona eye possible reinforcements.

The Spanish champions spent big on Antoine Griezmann during the summer but missed out on a big-name striker in January, leading to speculation that they could splash the cash again when the window reopens.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer news from the Camp Nou.

Sunday morning's Barcelona transfer talk news roundup:

Barcelona concede defeat in Neymar pursuit?

Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar celebrates scoring their second goal from the penalty spot on January 26, 2020

Barcelona have reportedly conceded defeat in their attempts to bring Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar back to Camp Nou this summer.

The Brazilian has been persistently linked with a sensational reunion to Catalonia, where he notched up 105 goals in 186 appearances before departing for the French capital.

However, big-money transfer dealings are unlikely to materialise in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, and Neymar would command a hefty figure with two years left to run on his PSG contract.

According to Marca, Barca have accepted that they will not have the financial capabilities to bring Neymar back to Camp Nou, and PSG have no intention of selling one of their most prized assets.

The report also claims that previously-linked Real Madrid have also ruled out the possibility of tabling an offer for the attacker, and the Barcelona hierarchy are keen to quash any speculation so as to not mislead Blaugrana supporters.

Neymar amassed 13 goals and six assists in the 2019-20 Ligue 1 campaign before the season was curtailed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kalidou Koulibaly pours cold water on Liverpool, Man Utd links

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly pictured in October 2019

Kalidou Koulibaly has insisted that remains focused on his time with Napoli amid persistent speculation linking the defender with a move away this summer.

Koulibaly has been linked with several high-profile clubs having starred in the heart of the Napoli defence, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona all rumoured to be weighing up approaches.

A recent report claimed that Liverpool and Man United had made contact with Napoli regarding a proposed summer move, but Koulibaly has affirmed that he remains committed to the Serie A outfit.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Senegalese centre-back said: "In football, you never know what happens. I never spoke to Napoli about leaving. If we have to find a solution, we will find it, but I have never talked about the transfer market.

"I also read in the newspapers about my future. But I only want to think about playing, I am 100% [committed to] Napoli and it bothers me to be linked, every day, to this or that European club.

"We will see what the president (Aurelio De Laurentiis) will decide and if he proposes to extend my contract, that would allow me to end my career here.

"At the moment, I still have a three-year contract and I am not thinking of anything else but Napoli."

Koulibaly, who has turned out 19 times in the league this season, would supposedly cost in the region of £72m despite the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic.