Soccer transfer updates: summary 8 July 2021
Summer transfer window: updates | Thu 8 July 2021
Man City can't meet asking price for strikers: Guardiola
Manchester City are being priced out of the market for a new striker to replace Sergio Aguero and may just stick with what they have for the new season, manager Pep Guardiola said.
British media reported City were interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane or Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland after Aguero left the Premier League champions at the end of last season to join Barcelona as a free agent.
Kane is valued at over 100 million pounds ($137.99 million), while Haaland has been rated at 150 million pounds.
"At the prices (quoted) we are not going to buy any strikers. It is impossible, we cannot afford it," Guardiola told Catalan network TV3.
Liverpool keen to take Atlético Madrid's Saúl to Anfield
The Reds are reportedly ready to make a 40 million euro bid for the Atlético midfielder. Atleti would be willing to sell Saúl but only at the right price.
Tebas, unsure that Messi will continue at Barça: "I don't know..."
LaLiga president Javier Tebas has clarified that Barcelona cannot register Leo Messi for the new season unless they first get other players off the payroll.
Romero to River
The 30-year-old striker made a name for himself hitting the target last season for Defensa y Justicia and moves to join Gallardo at El Monumental
Akieme moves from Barça to Almeria
The Rayo Vallecano youth player has moved to LaLiga Smartbank side Almeria after the Andalusian side exercised their right to buy. The left back spent the 2020/21 campaign at the second tier side and will wear the red and white shirt through to 2026.
More Eibar exits as Bigas heads to Elche
The versatile central player will stay in the top flight next season following his move to Elche.
Cadiz sign Arzamendia
The Paraguayan international joins the LaLiga side moving from Cerro Porteño. The 23-year-old has been capped eight times by the national side.
Simeone renews contract with Atlético until 2024
Atlético announced today that Diego Simeone, whose previous contract was due to expire in 2022will continue for another two years at the club. The Argentinean, the most successful coach in Atleti's history, has spent almost a decade in charge at the club.
Mourinho puts Pedro on transfer list
Roma boss José Mourinho is sorting out who will form part of his first team squad next season and who will be sold. According to Il Romanista, one of the players who is surplus to requirements is Pedro Rodríguez. The 33-year-old joined Roma last season and despite ongoing injury problems, he managed to finish the campaign with six goals and seven assists in 40 games. But he has been left out of Mou's pre-season squad and joins a number of players on the transfer list, including Nzonzi, Bianda, Coric, Fazio, Santon and Pastore.
Ramos relishing PSG challenge
Sergio Ramos offered his first interview upon being unveiled as a new PSG player with the Spaniard anxious to make a mark in Ligue 1.
Thiago Motta takes charge at Spezia
Spezia announced the arrival of new coach Thiago Motta on Thursday. The former Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, PSG and Inter Milan player, returns to coaching after a two-year absence. He takes over the reins from Vincenzo Italiano, who has joined Fiorentina. It will be Motta's second stab at coaching after a miserable experience with Genoa.
United keeping tabs on Joachim Andersen
Manchester United have lined up Olympique Lyon defender Joachim Andersen as an alternative if they fail to land Real Madrid's Raphael Varane. The 25-year-old Denmark international spent last season on loan at Fulham, making 34 appearances.
Mikel San José joins Amorebieta
Basque side Amorebieta, who recently gained promotion to the second tier of Spanish football for the first time in their history, have confirmed the arrival of midfielder Mikel San José. The 32-year-old spent last season with Birmingham City, making 27 appearances in the Championship. His most successful stint was with Athletic Club, with whom he spent 11 seasons.
Olympique Marseille secure Pau López on loan
The Ligue 1 club have acquired the services of the 26-year-old Spanish goalkeeper, who made 34 appearances for Roma last season before suffering a shoulder injury towards the end of the campaign. He joins on a one-year loan deal with Marseille retaining the option to buy him outright in June 2022.
Scolari appointed at Gremio
Gremio have confirmed Luiz Felipe Scolari as their new coach. It will be Scolari's fourth spell in charge of the Brazilian outfit. He spent last season at Cruzeiro de Belo Horizonte.
Sabitzer pondering future; Dortmund, Milan and Spurs await
Leipzig's Marcel Sabitzer, who enjoyed an impressive Euro 2020 with Austria, is thinking about leaving the German club this summer. Dortmund could be one possible destination for the 27-year-old, an option which the player is open to. Tottenham and AC Milan are also believed to be interested in the midfielder.
Kiko Casilla set to move on from Leeds?
Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla didn't report for the pre-season last week, sparking suggestions that he could be on his way out of the Premier League side. Marcelo Bielsa favoured French keeper Illan Meslier last season, while Casilla made just 11 appearances in all competitions. The former Real Madrid player has another two years to run on his contract but may be looking to return to Spain.
Milan confirm Tonali signing
AC Milan have confirmed the signing of Sandro Tonali. After playing at Milan on loan from Brescia last season, he has now signed a deal that will see him stay at the club until 2026. Milan has paid Brescia €7 million for the 21-year-old midfielder.
AC Milan looking to secure Giroud
With Olivier Giroud having agreed personal terms with AC Milan, the Italian club is in talks with Chelsea and player's agent in a bid to make the move happen...
Liverpool reportedly make offer for Saul
Liverpool have made an offer of €40m for Atlético Madrid midfielder, Saul, according to reports in the UK. Liverpool are looking to secure a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum after the Dutch midfielder signed for PSG in June.
Ronaldo still open to PSG move
According to transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the possibility of seeing Cristiano in the PSG shirt is still a possibility. The player remains attentive to what is happening at Juventus, who want to keep him in their ranks, but he isn't ruling out a move to Paris.
Lyon scouring market for Depay replacement
According to Le Pogrès, Olympique Lyon is scouring the market in search of a replacement for Dutch forward Memphis Depay, who has left the club for Barcelona. One of the name's high on Lyon sporting director Juninho Pernambucano's agenda is Paul Onuachu. The Nigerian forward plays for Genk in the Jupiter Pro League and scored 35 goals across all competitions last season.
Marco Verratti confirms Donnarumma's PSG switch
Ahead of the Euro 2020 final, Marco Verratti has confirmed that Italy teammate, goalkeeper Gigio Donnarumma. will join him at PSG. Donnarumma's upcoming switch to Paris is common knowledge at this point but has yet to be made official by the Parisian club, which has so far confirmed the signings of Gini Wijnaldum, Achraf Hakimi and Sergio Ramos.
“He deserves to join a top European club to have the ambition to win the Champions League. I’m happy to have Donnarumma as new team mate at PSG, he will help us a lot," said Veratti (via Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano).
Hysaj in Rome to sign with Lazio
According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, Elseid Hysaj has arrived in Rome to sign a contract with Lazio that will keep him at the club for four seasons. The Albanian right back, who is a free agent, leaves Napoli after six seasons.
Anderson close to Lazio return
Sky Sports reports that West Ham and Lazio are close to agreeing a deal for Filipe Anderson, which will see the Brazilian return to the Serie A club three years after he left to join The Hammers for €36m...
Nacho extends at Madrid
The club have announced that their versatile Spanish defender is staying on.
'Real Madrid C. F. and Nacho Fernández have reached an agreement to extend the player's contract in a deal that ties him to the club for the next two seasons and until 30 June 2023.'
It seems some over-30s can get a two-year deal...
Ramos speaks after PSG make signing official
PSG released a statement on its website on Thursday morning, in which Ramos said he was “proud to be part of this ambitious project”.
Here's all the latest on the news and what people have said.
At the prices [being quoted] we are not going to buy any strikers. It is impossible, we cannot afford it.
All the clubs are struggling financially, and we are not an exception. We have Gabriel and Ferran who have been incredible. We have young players in the academy and we often play with a false number nine.
There is a greater chance that we aren't going to buy a striker for next season.
No transfers to see here
Derby, Reading and newly-promoted Hull are among eight English Football League clubs under transfer embargoes a month before the start of the new season.
The embargoes limit a club's ability to make signings, with sanctions preventing transfer fees being paid.
More on this brought to you by the BBC.
Damsgaard in demand
The stock of Mikkel Damsgaard has grown massively since the start of the European Championships. At Wembley last night his performance was crowned with a free-kick, but he's offered so much more to the Denmark team.
Sampdoria signed him 12 months ago for seven million euros and now, with Juventus, Inter, Milan, and even Barcelona showing some interest, he is said to be on the table for around 40 million euros.
Will he be making a move this summer?
Pogba to PSG?
After the signings of Wijnaldum, Achraf and Ramos, the Manchester United midfielder is the latest target of the French giants, according to L'Équipe.
They estimate that he is worth between 50 and 60 million euros given the current situation surrounding him.
We'll have more on this in a while...
Ramos finally seals the PSG deal
"The best place to keep dreaming, the best club to keep winning. We will fight with everything and for everything. Allez PSG!"
Well, that's that confirmed. I'm sure these words will fill Madridista hearts with joy.
Arsenal gunning for transfers
Mikel Arteta has long since made it clear that Arsenal have to move in the market to be more competitive. A team of Arsenal's stature cannot afford another season out of Europe, is the argument some make.
Heading out are David Luiz and Guendouzi, who have already packed their bags, and work is being done on potential signings.
Benfica's 21-year-old left-back Nuno Tavares and Anderlecht's 21-year-old midfielder Sambi Lokonga are almost complete, but the Gunners want more.
According to the Mirror, the north London club plans to invest a further €80 million to strengthen their starting XI, with Tavares and Lokonga as young additions, with potential to be future starters. Brighton centre-back Ben White and Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar are where the real money is being targeted.
Chelsea talks for Jorginho
The Italian midfielder is currently focused on a certain Euro 2020 final this coming Sunday but his agent, Joao Santos, has stated that they would like to have a chat with the Blues director Marina Granovskaia over his future contract in London.
Something or nothing? We'll keep our ears to the ground...
(Photo: Jorginho celebrates with Italy teammates after beating Spain. Justin Tallis/AFP)
Ancelotti contacts Richarlison about possible Real Madrid move
A reminder of the news we brought you yesterday that Carlo Ancelotti is chewing over bring in one of his old Toffees to help them get out of sticky situations. Ahem.
Would Richarlison be a good goalscoring option at the new Bernabéu?
Three clubs in Europe keen on signing LA Galaxy defender Araujo
On Tuesday the Los Angeles Galaxy confirmed that they had agreed a contract extension with home-grown player Julian Araujo. The 19-year-old Mexican-American defender signed a four and a half-year deal through the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer regular season.
Araujo will occupy an MLS under-22 initiative roster spot and since debuting in 2019, he has registered one goal and five assists in 47 games played across all competitions for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
“Julian is one of the best young defenders in North America and we’re thrilled that he’s chosen to continue his career with the LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese. But there is interest in the big leagues of Europe...
Liverpool links
According to the Daily Express and the Daily Star respectively this morning, Jürgen Klopp and his transfer collective have been sniffing around two more players, namely Donyell Malen (PSV Eindhoven striker) and Renato Sanches (Lille midfielder).
The Reds have proven to be smart movers in the transfer market over recent years and fans would no doubt be keen to see more fresh faces at Anfield.
Fans greet Ramos in Paris ahead of move to PSG
After passing his medical yesterday, this is how the Parisians welcomed Señor Ramos.
Official: Sergio Ramos joins PSG
On Wednesday PSG announced that Sergio Ramos is officially their player, with the 35-year-old defender signing for the next two seasons - something Madrid refused.
Live transfer news: welcome
Hello and welcome to our daily transfer-news live blog for Thursday 8 July 2021.
As clubs shape their squads for the coming season, we'll endeavour to keep you abreast of the major summer-window developments as they go down.
Let's begin with a few reminders from yesterday...