Transfer Talk: Neymar is just one of several big names tipped to move before European window closes

European transfer window: Neymar, Christian Eriksen & Alexis Sanchez could move before the transfer window shuts on September 2

By Sporting Life

15:04 · MON August 26, 2019

As we close in on the European transfer window closing on September 2, the likes of Neymar, Christian Eriksen and Alexis Sanchez could still all be moving clubs.

We're within sight of the controversial split transfer window closing, and there are still plenty of matters to be settled involving some huge world and Premier League names.

The transfer window for Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A, Germany's Bundesliga and France's Ligue 1 closes at varying times on Monday, September 2.

That means we could still see players in England move on, with their current clubs unable to replace them until January.

A number of big names are said to be on the hunt for a new destination, which could see some headline-grabbing switches ahead of September, and here's the pick of the bunch.

Neymar

Neymar: Expected to return to Barca after two years at PSG

It's the big one that just won't go away and, even though his relationship with PSG is said to have improved recently, Neymar is still well fancied to make a remarkable return to Barcelona before the window closes.

Philippe Coutinho going to Bayern Munich clears a space in the squad for the Brazilian, who has clearly fallen out of love with Paris, and the PSG ultras feel the same way judging by some of the anti-Neymar banners they've been unfolding at games.

Finances seem a huge barrier here, and one that can only be bridged by Barca offering PSG the right cash-plus-player package to make them feel they're getting a good deal, but there's also the perception of Les Parisiens not being able to hang onto one of the world's biggest stars that would not sit right with their ambitious owners.

Another added problem comes with injuries to Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani meaning that, while Neymar has not yet been in a PSG squad this season, he could be pressed into service as cover. It's clear his heart lies elsewhere, but it's now a race against time to get such a huge deal through.

Neymar is 4/6 to return to Barcelona this summer

Alexis Sanchez

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Alexis Sanchez

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already admitted Alexis Sanchez could leave Manchester United before the window closes, with Inter Milan the main club showing interest in the forward.

Having failed to get anywhere near his best since joining from Arsenal in January 2018, the United manager does not see the Chilean in his plans and, although he's publicly backed him to come good, he's keen to offload the Premier League's highest-paid player.

A spanner in the works could be the injury Anthony Martial suffered against Crystal Palace, which may mean the need to keep hold of Sanchez as cover, but the right offer from Inter may persuade the Red Devils to cash in now.

Sanchez is huge odds-on at 1/6 to join Inter

Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen hits at Tottenham excit

This Christian Eriksen saga is threatening to get under the skin of Tottenham as he again started on the bench for their damaging defeat at home to Newcastle on Sunday amid more talk of him leaving north London.

Eriksen was widely expected to join Real Madrid, then went odds-on to move to Manchester United, yet here we are with the Dane starting the new season still in a Tottenham shirt, but looking by no means settled.

He showed his importance to the team by changing the game against Aston Villa in Spurs' Premier League opener, and Mauricio Pochettino's fell flat again without him against Newcastle, when this time he could not turn things around.

He's a crucial player then, but a player who can leave for free in the summer and sign a pre-contract with a new team in January - which surely sees him then take his eye off the ball at Spurs. Neither scenario is ideal for Tottenham.

The problems for Daniel Levy is that he'd want a decent transfer fee for him given his ability, but Real Madrid aren't interested and lesser teams don't measure up to Eriksen's expectations. Atletico Madrid are currently favourites to sign him and, at what could be a bargain price, they'd be well advised to try and bring the Dane in before the window closes.

Atletico Madrid are now the 5/2 favourites to sign Eriksen

Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba missed another penalty for Manchester United

Paul Pogba looks reasonably settled at Manchester United now, and it'd be a surprise to see him leave so late in the transfer window, giving the Red Devils no time to bring in a replacement for their highest-profile star.

Pogba is also among the more experienced members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's young squad and his departure would be a big hole to fill in those terms.

Zinedine Zidane is a known admirer, but at the price United would want it looks like a no-go at this moment in time even if Pogba may fancy getting away from England after the abuse he has shamefully suffered on social media after missing a penalty at Wolves.

The window isn't closed yet though, and real Madrid have had a dodgy start to the season meaning they may feel the need to make a late splash in the market.

Marcos Rojo

Marcos Rojo, pictured in pre-season with Manchester United

Argentinian defender Rojo looked set to join Everton on deadline day but Manchester United owners Joel and Avram Glazer pulled the plug at the last minute because they see the Toffees as direct rivals for the top six.

The former Sporting Lisbon star has been told he is not in the plans of Solksjaer and is free to leave Old Trafford.

United have slapped a £20million price tag on the defender, who reportedly earns £130,000-a-week, and Napoli, AC Milan, Monaco and Fenerbahce are said to be interested in signing him.

Dejan Lovren

Liverpool's Dejan Lovren celebrates his strike against Newcastle

Lovren looked set to join Roma on a season-long loan with an option to buy, but the Croatian could be set to stay put due to Liverpool only wanting to sell him for around £26million.

The former Southampton man has fallen behind Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez in the pecking order at Anfield and is expected to be allowed to leave the club for first-team football elsewhere as long as the deal is right for all parties.

As an alternative to Lovren, the Italian side could now go for Arsenal's Shkodran Mustafi, who has been told he can leave by Unai Emery.