Lionel Messi or Neymar to be sold; Diego Costa to exit Chelsea; Manchester United join Arsenal in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang chase

TRANSFER TALK: A round-up of today's most intriguing, and in some cases unlikely, transfer rumours

Simon Rice
Wednesday 02 December 2015 10:28 GMT
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Neymar and Lionel Messi
Neymar and Lionel Messi (GETTY IMAGES)

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Barcelona may have to give up one of their prized assets in a bid to balance the books, it's reported. Having Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez always seemed to good to be true, and according to reports, one of either Messi or Neymar may have to make way. The club's wage bill is sapping 73 per cent of revenue and has become unsustainable.

Perfect timing then for Manchester City that they just took on a huge investment from China. The club has secured a deal which will see the Chinese state invest $400m (£265m) and take a 13 per cent share in the club’s holding company. Speculation has already started over what they might do with the money, with a bid to sign Messi among the possibilities. It's said that the cash could also be used to lure Pep Guardiola to the Etihad.

Diego Costa could go from throwing his bib to throwing in the towel at Chelsea according to the Metro. They report that his former side, Atletico Madrid, are ready to activate a release clause in the Spain international's contract. The La Liga side will have to stump up £28m if they are to do so.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and striker Diego Costa
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and striker Diego Costa (Getty Images)

Borussia Dortmund has turned into a shop window for Liverpool, according to the Liverpool Echo. They quote the Bundesliga club's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke saying they would be open to approaches from their former manager should he be interested in signing any of his former players. Among those at the club that would appeal to Liverpool are Marco Reus, Mats Hummels, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ilkay Gundogan and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

One of those Dortmund players is also wanted by Manchester United, according to various reports. Aubameyang, who is also being tracked by Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea, has attracted the interest of Louis van Gaal. The Gabon international has been in sensational form this season, scoring 25 goals in 22 appearances.

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