Football transfer news

Dani Alves is hopeful that Santos attacker Neymar decides to join Barcelona once he makes the decision to leave his current club.

The 20-year-old is one of the most sought-after players around and is continually being linked with a move to Europe as clubs such as Barca, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United and Juventus are believed to be keeping tabs on him.

Santos are hopeful of holding on to their star player until after the 2014 World Cup, but Dani Alves hopes Neymar’s future will be resolved before then.

“I hope that the Neymar-saga will end soon and that the outcome will be satisfying for everyone,” Dani Alves stated to RAC1.

“I am looking forward to seeing Neymar and Messi play together. He would fit in very well. Barcelona will arguably have the two best attackers in the world with him.”

The right-back then went on to say the Barcelona squad feared the departure of Pep Guardiola at the end of the 2011-12 campaign would lead to a number of changes, but he’s happy that Tito Vilanova has stuck to the Barca philosophy.

“Guardiola has left the team in good hands. We were a bit concerned that Tito would embrace another philosophy, but nothing has changed.”

Barcelona have won their opening five Liga games of the 2012-13 season and sit atop of the table.

Marc Bartra has made it clear that he’s very happy with life at Barcelona and is not thinking about a move away from the Catalans.

The 21-year-old is seen as one of the club’s biggest defensive talents and made his official first team debut back in February 2010.

Bartra has since been unable to secure regular first team action, though, and there are doubts as to whether he has what it takes to succeed at the Camp Nou side.

“I have only just begun and I have no intention of leaving the club just yet,” the defender was quoted as saying by AS.

“I am happy, I play in the best team in the world and the only thing I have to do is train well and wait for my opportunity. I need to react to this, train harder and if I do I will get games.”

Despite the absence of defenders such as Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol due to injury, Bartra did not feature in last weekend’s 2-0 league win over Granada.

Giuseppe Marotta has claimed that Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic had already given a transfer to Juventus in the summer transfer window the go-ahead, before the move eventually fell through due to financial reasons.

The reigning Serie A champions had earmarked the Montenegro international as the perfect addition to their attack, but they failed to reach an agreement with Fiorentina over a transfer fee.

Jovetic revealed earlier this month that Juve pushed hard to sign him in the summer, but that he opted to stay at the Viola as he’s happy with life at his current club.

Nevertheless, Marotta claims that the 22-year-old was ready to make the move to the Champions League hopefuls.

“Jovetic? It’s a positive thing that the player and his entourage gave us the green light in the summer. It is useless to further discuss it. I can only say that we are closely monitoring a number of great players,” Juventus’ general director said to reporters.

Jovetic is under contract with Fiorentina until June 2016.

Malaga have announced their intention to hand Isco an improved contract, as they fear that his €21 million buy-out clause may soon be met by a rival club.

The 20-year-old only arrived at La Rosaleda last summer from Valencia, but has already garnered the interest from Tottenham and other sides, as their sporting director Mario Husillos has revealed.

“There have been no calls from Russia for him. Tottenham tried to sign him before the market closed. He remains ours and with his clause, no-one has activated that.” the official told Radio Marca.

“We will talk with him as soon as possible. We know his potential, his growth and in the Champions League his profile has grown. He is a fantastic player.

“He is playing football in his home country at a club that suits his style. He has tremendous potential and room for growth that could lead to him becoming a full Spain international.

“We believe that the best place for him to do that is Malaga. We want to enjoy him for many years without impeding his growth.”

Despite their recent financial troubles, Husillos insisted that any potential move for Isco would have to be approved by coach Manuel Pellegrini.

“The person leading this whole institution is Pellegrini,” he added. “It sounds obvious but it’s true. We try to collaborate as much as possible, and I give him options, but the final choice is his.”

David Luiz has signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea which will keep him at the club until 2017.

The Brazil international moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2011 in a £21 million deal from Portuguese side Benfica.

Having been linked with a switch to Barcelona in the summer, the 25-year-old, who won both the Champions League and the FA Cup with Chelsea last season, has ended speculation regarding his future by committing his long-term future with Roberto Di Matteo’s side.

“I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea,” Luiz told the club’s official website.

“It is a great club and I look forward to winning more trophies here. I want to play for a long time at the top level – which is what playing for Chelsea means.

“I love everything about the club and especially the fans, who have made me very welcome and given me great support.”