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WE’VE had the “new Cristiano Ronaldo”, the “new Messi” and now the race to sign the man dubbed the “new Neymar” is under way, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all chasing Santos star Gabriel Barbosa.

According to the Daily Express, the twinkle-toed 18-year-old striker has a release clause of £40m in his contract, but South American sources say that a mere £24m would be enough to see Santos part ways with their teenage sensation.

Barbosa’s existing deal expires in the 2016 season, but the Express claims the Premier League trio are all planning to bid for the player at the end of this season.

The Brazil under-20 international, who has netted nine times in 37 senior appearances for Santos, is also being eyed by German club Wolfsburg and by Barcelona, with the Catalan club confident they could win the race because of Neymar’s presence at the Camp Nou.

Elsewhere, Arsenal are still dithering over a bid for Sevilla midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak.

Rumours emerged earlier in the season suggesting the Gunners were tailing the Poland international, even though he only joined the La Liga side in the summer.

However, a string of composed performances have captured the attention of Arsene Wenger, not to mention Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, but despite all the interest, Sevilla’s sporting director Ramon Monchi says they have not had any official inquiries about the defensive midfielder, whose contract includes a £24m release clause.

The Daily Mail reports that Liverpool defender Glen Johnson might not be bound for Roma after all, as the Reds have offered the 32year-old a new two-year contract at Anfield.

Then again, the money involved in the deal could yet tempt Johnson into heading to Italy. The right back is out of contract at the end of the season.

The Mail claims that Johnson is reluctant to accept Liverpool’s offer of a £60 000-a-week contract, and it could be that Roma will tempt him with a deal closer to the £120 000 a week he is currently earning at Anfield.

Finally, the Daily Star says that Manchester United “are planning to move” for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels at the end of the season. —