Sporting Kit

Chinese side bid £84m for Bale Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande have made a massive £84 million offer for Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale, according to  Don Balon  .  The 28-year-old is said to have little interest in moving to China, but could be tempted by a return to the Premier League. Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham have all reportedly made contact with Madrid over a move for Bale. 

HOW NEYMAR'S TRANSFER ALLOWED BARCELONA TO BUY COUTINHO AS PART OF €307M SPENDING SPREE The Brazilian became the world's third-most expensive player with his transfer to Camp Nou on Saturday - but how did the Blaugrana fund the deal? Five months after his move to Paris Saint-Germain, Neymar is still a significant presence at Barcelona. He is no longer scoring goals for the Catalan club, of course, but his world-record €222 million move has allowed the Blaugrana to spend in excess of €300m over successive transfer windows for the first time in their history. Quite simply, without the sale of Neymar, the subsequent signings of former Borussia Dortmund starlet Ousmane Dembele and ex-Liverpool ace Philippe Coutinho would have been impossible. Even though Barca have spent significant sums in recent years, the Catalans had never previously undertaken such an outlay: a grand total of €307m on six players – Dembele (€105m), Coutinho (€120m), Paulinho (€4...

Arsenal want £90m Lemar to replace Alexis Thomas Lemar has returned to the top of Arsenal's list of candidates to replace Alexis Sanchez in January, reports the  Mirror . Alexis has seen speculation over a move this window grow in recent days, with Manchester City appearing the most likely destination. And the Monaco star, closely followed by the Gunners, could move before the end of the month if a deal for the Chilean is struck. His current club, however, are likely to hold out for a mammoth £90 million to make any move happen.

Liverpool are considering making a move for Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman,  Premium Sport   reports. The Reds need to add to their midfield after the departure of Philippe Coutinho, while they could see Emre Can leave for Juventus, and see the Roma star as a smart addition. Strootman, 27, is interested in a move to the Premier League, but there are said to be many clubs interested in him.

FIVE AFRICAN ALL-STARS WHO NEED A MOVE IN JANUARY Didier Ibrahim Ndong could surely never have imagined that 18 months after signing for Sunderland in a £13.6 million deal, he’d be wallowing in the Championship. The Gabon midfielder has made 17 appearances for the strugglers this term, often looking out of sorts, and with the Black Stars not going to return to the Premier League this season, needs a move. The club, too, are looking to offload, with reports suggesting that they need to free up cash to sign Brentford’s Ryan Woods.

NEYMAR'S REPLACEMENT OR IN THE INIESTA ROLE? HOW WILL BARCELONA USE COUTINHO? The Blaugrana confirmed the signing of the Liverpool midfielder in a blockbuster January move - but how will he fit in at the Catalan club? Philippe Coutinho's Barcelona dream has been fulfilled.  The Liverpool star is en route to Camp Nou to complete a British-record €160 million deal  after  the two clubs confirmed a deal  following months of reports and speculation over his future. Ever since Neymar left Barca in the summer, Coutinho was the top target for the Blaugrana along with Ousmane Dembele. The latter did arrive in a deal that could rise to €150m, but the former was made to wait as Liverpool played hardball. Negotiations went to the wire on deadline day, but the Reds refused to budge. A few months on, however, talks have prospered and Coutinho will sign, although he will not be able to feature in the Champions League until next season after ...

LIVERPOOL CONFIRM RECORD €160M SALE OF COUTINHO TO BARCELONA The Brazil international ends five years on Merseyside as he prepares to undergo a medical and complete his switch to Camp Nou Liverpool have confirmed their agreement of a British-record €160 million with Barcelona for the transfer of Philippe Coutinho as the player travels to Spain to complete the formalities of his move. La Liga’s leaders will part with  €120m as a guaranteed base fee, with another €40m in performance and appearance-related add-ons that are expected to be triggered. 100 per cent certain his future – and that of his family – belongs at Barcelona. It is his dream and I am now convinced there is nothing left at our disposal to change his mind. “Philippe has made a fantastic contribution to this club over his five years of service and as disappointed as we are he doesn’t want to extend that, the relationship we have for him means with a heavy heart we wish him ...