Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Barcelona step up Pogba pursuit

Inter and star striker Mauro Icardi are nearing an agreement on a contract extension, reports&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Inter/21-09-2018/inter-icardi-championsleague-rinnovo-30050170635.shtml" target="_blank">Gazzetta dello Sport.</a> The 25-year-old has seen his future called into doubt in recent months, with Man Utd, Juventus, PSG&nbsp;and Real Madrid all reported to be interested.&nbsp; But Icardi&nbsp;is now on the verge of an extension that will see his annual salary rise from €4.5 million to €6m.

Icardi nears new contract with Inter

The Argentine has been subject of interest from Real Madrid and Man Utd among others

Harry Kane's bumper new Tottenham deal has caused unrest amongst the squad, <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/7319058/tottenham-harry-kane-contract-eriksen-alderweireld-rose/" target="_blank">The Sun</a> reports. Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Danny Rose have all asked for wage rises at a similar rate to the forward, who is now on £200,000 per week.

Kane contract has caused Spurs unrest

Barcelona are stepping up their efforts to sign Manchester United's World Cup winner Paul Pogba, claims the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/paul-pogba-manchester-united-barcelona-13287882" target="_blank">Mirror</a>.&nbsp; Reportedly unsettled at Old Trafford and suffering an uneasy relationship with manager Jose Mourinho, Pogba has been the frequent subject of exit rumours.&nbsp; Now Barca will look to take advantage by sending scouts to every single United game ahead of a potential deal that could be worth more than&nbsp;£100m ($130m).

Barcelona up the ante in Pogba chase

Catalans to scout World Cup winner in every game

Besiktas&nbsp;are considering a January move for Chelsea striker Olivier&nbsp;Giroud, claims <a href="https://www.fanatik.com.tr/olivier-girouddan-besiktas-itirafi-haber-fotograf-2012386-22" target="_blank">Fanatik</a>.&nbsp; The 31-year-old striker's deal with the Blues expires next summer, and the Turkish side could sign the France international to a pre-contract in January.

Besiktas eyeing Giroud

Tottenham star&nbsp;Son Heung-min&nbsp;has insisted he is happy where he is, as rumours about interest from Bayern Munich swirl.&nbsp; The Bundesliga champions are reportedly looking to sign the Korea international, who played in Germany previously with Hamburg and&nbsp;Bayer Lekerkusen.&nbsp; "I recently renewed my contract with Tottenham, and I believe I need to focus on here to do more for the team," Son told reporters on Saturday.&nbsp;"I'm happy at Tottenham."&nbsp;

Son unmoved by Bayern rumours

Inter midfielder Matias Vecino&nbsp;rejected the chance to join Atletico Madrid this summer, reports <a href="https://internews1908.it/retroscena-vecino-in-estate-e-stato-vicino-alladdio-i-dettagli/" target="_blank">FC Inter News.</a> The Uruguayan was also subject of interest from Chelsea, who offered Davide Zappacosta&nbsp;as part of a swap deal.&nbsp; But Venico preferred to stay with Inter and play Champions League football with the&nbsp;Nerazzurri.

Vecino rejected Atletico move

Barcelona&nbsp;manager Ernesto Valverde&nbsp;says it is too early to discuss a contract extension, despite his deal being set to expire at the end of the season. The 54-year-old has been in charge for just over one season, winning La Liga&nbsp;and the Copa del Rey in his first campaign in 2017-18.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/its-too-early-to-talk-about-it-valverde-not-ready-to/15u2ih2w3hkfp11azd2fse6s22" target="_blank">Read what Valverde had to say about his future on Goal right here!</a>

Valverde not ready to consider extension

Zlatan Ibrahimovic&nbsp;has admitted he could make a return to his boyhood club Malmo.&nbsp; The 36-year-old only joined the LA Galaxy in March, but has hinted his stay in Major League Soccer may not be a long one.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/ibrahimovic-teases-sweden-return-with-malmo/knncle6zo9v01m1rr3yxru1lz" target="_blank">Read what Ibra had to say about a possible return to Sweden right here!</a>

Ibrahimovic teases Sweden return with Malmo

Arsenal were plotting a January move for striker Moussa&nbsp;Dembele, but were beaten by an earlier move from Lyon, according to <a href="https://www.laprovence.com/article/om/5162118/moussa-dembele-dun-olympique-a-lautre.html" target="_blank">La Provence.</a> Dembele attracted plenty of attention with his performances over two seasons for Celtic, scoring 25 league goals for the Hoops.&nbsp; The Gunners believed they'd be able to make a move in January, but Lyon beat them to the punch by swooping for the 22-year-old in August.&nbsp;

Arsenal wanted to sign Dembele in January

Former Arsenal striker Charlie Nicholas believes the Gunners&nbsp;will sell Mesut&nbsp;Ozil&nbsp;in January if a good offer arrives. Ozil has been forced to deny reports of a breakdown in his relationship with manager Unai Emery amidst an indifferent&nbsp;start to the campaign.&nbsp; In quotes published on the <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1021296/Arsenal-news-Unai-Emery-Mesut-Ozil-Charlie-Nicholas" target="_blank">Express</a>, the Sky Sports pundit said he believes several teams will be interested in the Germany international come January.&nbsp;

Arsenal will sell Ozil if a good offer arrives - Nicholas

Sergio Aguero has revealed that Pep Guardiola was a vital factor in him committing his long-term future to Manchester City. <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/guardiola-a-key-factor-in-aguero-signing-new-man-city/1jd6m9zuhskvr1cgmepu3iyye0" target="_blank">Find out what El Kun had to say here!</a>&nbsp;

Pep key in signing new deal - Aguero

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker was "hurt" by Mauricio Pochettino's reaction to his departure from Tottenham. Walker swapped Spurs for City at the start of last season in a deal reportedly worth an initial £45 million, going on to win the Premier League and EFL Cup in his first campaign under Pep Guardiola. But the England international, 28, was saddened after Pochettino wrote in his book that he had disrespected his Spurs team-mates by asking to leave towards the end of the 2016-17 season, which ended in a second-place finish.&nbsp; <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/kyle-walker-hurt-pochettino-claims-tottenham/pmfugmjn81e0z3k19ey0nbxk">Get the full story here!</a>&nbsp;

Walker 'hurt' by disrespect claims

Sir Alex Ferguson was at Old Trafford to watch Manchester United on Saturday for the first time since his health scare in May. The 76-year-old was pictured arriving at the ground ahead of United's match against Wolves in the Premier League. Ferguson has largely remained out of the public eye following a brain haemorrhage that required emergency surgery. <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/ferguson-returns-to-old-trafford-for-man-utd-vs-wolves-after/49vu46e182iy12pi2vzws5u5m">The full story is here!</a>

Sir Alex returns to Old Trafford

Chris Wheatley says it was the correct for Theo Walcott to leave Arsenal - but that's not to say the Gunners don't need someone similar. <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/walcott-arsenal-right-to-part-ways-but-winger-is-still-missed-at-/4rc3ogcsw9oz1ohq6zgl2qhzy" target="_blank">Read the full story here!</a>

Walcott and Arsenal right to part - but he's still missed!

Barcelona are interested in Lille attacker Nicolas Pepe, the French club's owner Gerard Lopez has confirmed. However, there are numerous other clubs in the running to sign the Ivory Coast international. <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/barcelonas-pepe-interest-confirmed-by-lille/bkqgtkxyy2hn1c6i0jakdnanb" target="_blank">Get the full story here!</a>

Barcelona's Pepe interest confirmed by Lille

There is no problem between PSG boss Thomas Tuchel and striker Edinson Cavani, the German has said. During the midweek loss at Liverpool, the Uruguay striker was taken off as PSG chased a game they lost 3-2. It was suggested that he could have been upset by this, yet the ex-Dortmund boss has played down the report. <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/there-is-no-problem-with-cavani-tuchel-silences-rumours-of/69xi575nk5d216m9dlomege2f">Get the full quotes here!</a>

No Cavani rift, says Tuchel

Cristiano Ronaldo has been impressed with the love that Juventus have shown him in the aftermath of his midweek red card, <a href="https://www.gazzetta.it" target="_blank">Gazzetta </a><a href="https://www.gazzetta.it" target="_blank">dello</a><a href="https://www.gazzetta.it" target="_blank"> Sport</a> reports. The Portuguese was controversially dismissed in the Champions League for the first time in his career during the 2-0 win over Valencia. However, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has been taken by the way in which the club have launched such a stout defence of him.

Ronaldo taken by Juventus affection

Clement Lenglet will be given his opportunity to impress Barcelona after making a summer move from Sevilla, <a href="http://www.marca.com/en/football/barcelona/2018/09/22/5ba543e8e5fdeaad318b4605.html" target="_blank">Marca</a> reports. The centre-back has seen few minutes since arriving at the club, but with a busy schedule ahead, he will have opportunities to impress Ernesto Valverde in the matches to come. Malcom could also feature against Girona this weekend.

Lenglet to be given Barca chance

PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot has resolved to join Barcelona at the end of his contract, <a href="https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/fc-barcelona/20180922/451949638959/rabiot-ofensiva-final-en-octubre.html" target="_blank">Mundo Deportivo</a> reports. He is out of contract at the end of the season and while there is a good deal of interest, Barca are confident they can fend off the other suitors - and PSG themselves - to tie down the France international.

Rabiot to complete Barcelona move

Vinicius Junior will soon have his chance to debut for Real Madrid, according to <a href="https://en.as.com/en/2018/09/21/football/1537553757_387539.html" target="_blank">AS</a>. The summer signing has featured only with the 'B' team so far this season but has impressed, and with a rash of matches forthcoming, he can be expected to be rotated into the team very soon.

Vinicius Junior to get his Real Madrid chance

Youri Tielemans wants to join Juventus, according to <a href="https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/mercato-as-monaco-tielemans-propose-a-la-juventus-403813" target="_blank">le10sport</a>. The Belgium international's representatives have offered him to the Italian giants ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.

Tielemans wants Juventus move

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez will quit the club if the board does not match his ambition in the transfer window, <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-ready-quit-newcastle-13288125">The Mirror</a> reports. He called last season's finish in the top half of the table a "miracle" and feels he has not been given the backing to allow such an achievement to become possible again.

Benitez makes Newcastle demands

Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel barely speaks with club sporting director Antero Henrqiue, according to <a href="http://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/psg-antero-henrique-concentre-les-critiques-19-09-2018-7894812.php" target="_blank">Le Parisien</a>. Frustration has built at the club over the transfer market, specifcally the inability to find another midfielder, a Thiago Motta replacement, this summer despite being linked with many names. It is unclear how much influence Tuchel, Henrique or PSG president&nbsp;Nasser Al-Khelaïfi wield in the club's transfer dealings at the moment.

Tuchel barely speaks with PSG sporting director

Adrien Rabiot is interested in a Manchester City return and would be willing to sign on free transfer, reports <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2018/09/21/adrien-rabiot-open-to-joining-manchester-city-on-free-transfer-7968094/" target="_blank">Metro</a>. Rabiot, who spent a brief time in City's academy as a youth, has contract with Paris Saint-Germain which expires in June 2019. However, that means City are unwilling to bid for Rabiot in January, which means the midfielder would have to be willing to wait until the summer for his move.

Rabiot interested in joining City

Barcelona have registered interest in Genoa's Polish hitman&nbsp;Krzysztof Piątek, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/mercato-barcelone-une-pepite-polonaise-repond-directement-a-linteret-du-barca-404105" target="_blank">Le10sport</a>.&nbsp; Piatek is currently the top scorer in Serie A, having scored four goals in three games so far.&nbsp; As well as attracting Barca's attention the 23-year-old has also earned comparisons to compatriot Robert Lewandowski for his prowess in front of the net.

Barca chase Genoa sharpshooter Piatek

Rafa Benitez is ready to quit his job at Newcastle United unless he receives backing in the transfer market, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/rafa-benitez-ready-quit-newcastle-13288125" target="_blank">Mirror</a>.&nbsp; The manager, whose contract is up in June, has clashed on repeated occasions with the board, claiming he has not received the necessary transfer resources since taking the Magpies back into the Premier League.&nbsp;

Benitez ready to walk out on Newcastle

Barcelona are expected to make a fresh move for Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera, claims the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/7311984/manchester-united-ander-herrera-wanted-barcelona-contract-not-sealed/" target="_blank">Sun</a>.&nbsp; Herrera will be free to talk to European clubs in January as his contract comes to an end.&nbsp; And Barca are keen to land the Spain international after failing to complete a transfer over the summer.

Barca renew efforts to land Man United's Herrera

Manchester United are leading a bid to return transfer deadline day to the end of August for the summer of 2019, reports the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6195027/United-head-Premier-League-clubs-return-transfer-deadline-end-August.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a>.&nbsp; The decision to close the Premier League window on August 9 was criticised by some clubs, especially since it handed the advantage to overseas rivals who could reinforce their squads for a further three weeks.&nbsp; And the likes of United, Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham are reportedly keen to see the move reverted at the end of the current season.

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Transfer news and rumours LIVE: Barcelona step up Pogba pursuit | Goal.com Nigeria

Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer news and rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and beyond