By SBI SOCCER
Manchester United brought in many fresh faces during the summer transfer window, but it appears as though one of its pursuits for a Brazilian star never made it past the starting point.
Barcelona forward Neymar told ESPN Brasil Thursday that the English Premier League giant was in talks with him but never offered a contract. Head coach Louis Van Gaal was in search of a forward, and he and the team eventually brought in Anthony Martial from AS Monaco.
Neymar appeared to be of interest to the club, however.
“We had conversations, but there was nothing concrete,” Neymar said when asked about Manchester United’s pursuit of him. “I heard that there were offers, but none made it to me.”
Here are more news and notes:
KLOPP IS INTERESTED IN A MOVE TO THE EPL
Since stepping down from his position at Borrusia Dortmund, Jurgen Klopp has had many suitors approach him.
Reports from England suggest he is now likely to make the move to the English Premier League.
According to Sky Sports, Klopp said he is interested in a move to the EPL and is willing to end his sabbatical early if the right position opens up for him. He also reportedly has no interest in and has received no contact from Liverpool.
Current Liverpool boss Brendan Rogers is on the hot seat at Anfield after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign and a slow start to the new season.
CHIELLINI SAID HE EXAGGERATED SUAREZ’S BITE DURING WORLD CUP
One of the talking points following the 2014 World Cup was Luis Suarez biting Giorgio Chiellini, but the latter is now reportedly admitting to amplifying the situation to gain an advantage.
According to vice president of FIFA’s appeals court Fernando Mitijans, Chiellini said he exaggerated Suarez’s bite during the game in order to help his side to victory.
“You know what Chiellini said? (Suarez’s bite) was a kiss that (his) girlfriend gave (him) and (he) did it to get him sent off,” Mitjans said. “Chiellini didn’t travel to the hearing. He didn’t even answer the tribunal’s questions by mail. I was laughing, the Swiss couldn’t believe it.”
Due to the incident, Suarez was unable to play competitive games for four months and also had to miss nine international matches for Uruguay.
QUICK KICKS:
Santos striker Ricardo Oliviera, 35, has replaced Roberto Firmino on head coach Dunga’s Brazilian national team roster. (REPORT)
David Silva will not appear for Manchester City against Tottenham Saturday due to muscle spasms. (REPORT)
Despite a slow start to the EPL season from his star, Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger thinks that Alexis Sanchez “will score very soon.” (REPORT)
West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster has been ruled out until Christmas. (REPORT)
Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola walked out of a press conference after being asked about a possible move to the EPL. (REPORT)
Acting or not, dude still bit a guy.
Wenger; Alexis Sanchez has never been known to be a goalscorer..He is a winger either on the left (currently ) or the right ( Barca , Natl team) he does score goals but that is not his primary role!!!! you have Giroud for that or you could’ve had Benzema or Lewandowski!!! Don’t put that extra pressure on Sanchez and play him where he is most useful. Coaches today are really overcomplicating tactics….Guardiola is another example but that is a long subject that I don’t want to get into.
On what planet are you that you think Arsenal could have gotten Benzema or Lewandoski? Neither player wanted to leave their clubs and then club wanted to sell those players. The only way Arsenal would have gotten either of those players would have been if they ponied up utterly ludicrous fees, and even then you couldn’t be sure they would have gotten them.