Soccer transfers news summary: Friday 9 July 2021
Summer transfer window: live updates | Fri 9 July 2021
Headlines:
- AC Milan close in on Giroud signing
- Lokongo on verge of Arsenal move in c.€21 million deal
- Liverpool proposing €40 million for Atlético's Saúl
- Sergio Ramos is a PSG player signing a two-year contract (further details)
- Nacho extends contarct with Real Madrid
- PSG considering bringing in Pogba as spending to continue. Questions remain over Mbappé.
Take a look at some of our related news articles:
Movement in Joao Mario transfer
The midfielder (28) is set to leave Inter and return home to Portugal to sign for Benfica.
Wolves complete the signing of Rayan Ait-Nouri
Wolves have signed defender Rayan Ait-Nouri from Angers for a fee of around £9.5m.
The full-back has agreed a five-year deal with the option of a further year.
Chong joins Blues
Manchester United player Tahith Chong has joined Birmingham City on loan for the 2021/22 season.
The Dutchman has made 16 first-team appearances for United in all competitions since joining them from Feyenoord.
West Ham in for PSG keeper Areola
West Ham United are hoping to sign PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on loan ahead of the new season.
The French club's board had hoped to sell the keeper, with Donnarumma set to join after Euro 2020 to compete for the number one spot with Keylor Navas.
Manchester City make contact for Griezmann
Barcelona have not ruled out the departure of any important players this summer. Manager Ronald Koeman has recognised that "Messi is the priority" and there is concern over the Argentine's current out-of-contract situation. In order to help the current financial position of the club, Barcelona are considering the sale of a number of players this summer in order to re-sign Messi. Griezmann could be the one that helps most financially and Foot Mercato report in France that there is already contact between the French player and Manchester City.
Harry Kane is one of the options for the Premier League side, but in recent hours City have been sounding out Griezmann to fill the vacancy left by Sergio Agüero, who signed for Barcelona.
Bertrand set for Leicester move
Left-back Ryan Bertrand is expected to join Leicester City on a three-year deal with the option of a one-year extension. The 31-year-old, who is a free agent, spent the last seven years at Southampton. The transfer should be officially announced over the next few days.
Barcelona: "Messi is the best player in history, but he's 34..."
Toni Freixa believes that Barcelona would be making a mistake by selling off a number of first team squad players just to keep Lionel Messi. Barcelona have yet to settle a new deal with Messi, who is with Argentina at Copa América. However, they need to reduce their wages bill if they are to secure a new deal for the legendary No.10.
Van de Beek not offered as part of Varane deal
Manchester United have not included Donny Van de Beek in part exchange for Raphael Varane as negotiations with Real Madrid continue. Journalist Fabrizio Romano replied to rumours suggesting that the Dutch player could be used as a makeweight in the deal. United are looking for at least one centre-back and enquired about Varane last week but as of the moment, they have not placed an official offer for the France international.
City may already have deal in place for Jack Grealish
According to former Manchester City player Shaun Goater, the Premier League champions may have already have Jack Grealish's signing tied up. He told FreeSuperTips, "I think it's done, personally. The only downfall of Harry Kane is that he's late 20s whereas Haaland and Mbappé are a few years younger, so you know you've got them for longer. Kane would bring a lot to City, but if it was my money, I'm investing I'd bring in someone who could give more years at the club. Grealish shows us the qualities he has every week, he's a very intelligent footballer. He would be able to cope with the movements of the players at City and the movements of the defenders because he's an intelligent player. He would fit in because he can play out wide or in the number ten position and he's so good at driving forward with the ball. Essentially, he could do a role in a false nine, I think he would work perfectly".
Mourinho keen on Vestergaard
Jannik Vestergaard was one of the central defenders who impressed at Euro 2020. The Denmark international, who joined Southampton from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2018, has attracted interest from a number of clubs during the tournament. According to The Athletic, Jose Mourinho has set his sights on the 28-year-old defender and has requested that Roma's technical department sign him ahead of the new season. Vestergaard has one year to run on his contract at St Mary's.
City make contact with Griezmann's agents
Barcelona haven't ruled out letting one of their star players leave this summer as Koeman admitted today that securing a new deal for Messi is a priority. For that to happen, Barcelona would need to lower their wages bill so that it falls in line with LaLiga's salary cap. Antoine Griezmann could be sacrificed and in Frnace, Footmercato are claiming that contact has been made between the player's agents and Manchester City. Harry Kane was City's No.1 option but Spurs are unlikely to sell. That has prompted City to sound out the situation with Griezmann who would fill the vacancy left by Agüero, who funnily enough only recently signed for Barcelona.
Barcelona do Demir deal
Barcelona have completed the signing of Yusuf Demir on loan from Rapid Vienna with an option to buy for €10million. The 18-year-old winger has earned a fine reputation at home after breaking into the Rapid team so young and has been dubbed the 'Austrian Messi' for his style of play and stature. Demir has also agreed a new contract at Rapid until 2023, meaning they will not lose him on a free transfer next year if Barcelona opt against making his switch to LaLiga permanent.
Kiko Casilla agrees Elche move
Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla looks set to return to Spain to spend the new season in LaLiga with Elche. Casilla is believed to be in talks with Leeds to rescind the final two years of his contract. That would allow him to leave as a free agent but if Leeds refuse, the keeper is expected to join Elche on a one-year loan deal. Elche are also believed to be negotiating with the Premier club for three outfield players but talks have reached a stalemate.
Elche announced today that they have signed Chilean centre-back Enzo Roco, who returns for his second spell at the club.
Achraf gets to work with new club PSG
Achraf Hakimi has begun training with new club PSG after his signing was made official this week, just before that of Sergio Ramos. The Real Madrid academy graduate Achraf has joined the Parisian club from Inter for a fee reportedly in the region €60 million.
PSG have been one of the most active clubs on the transfer market to date with the signings of Ramos, Achraf and Gini Wijnaldum, while Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma expected be confirmed imminently.
Dynamo Moscow welcome Fabian Balbuena
Dynamo Moscow took to twitter to welcome new signing Fabian Balbuena. The Paraguay international joins the Russian club on a free after his contract expired with West Ham on 30 June.
Danilo says "dear friend" Ronaldo will stay at Juventus
While Cristiano Ronaldo continues to be heavily linked with a move away from Juventus, his team mate Danilo has assured that "his dear friend" will stay in Turin next season. As a close friend whose known the Portuguese since their time together at Real Madrid (2015-2017), Danilo certainly has more insight into the situation than most...
Koeman discusses Messi renewal situation
Ronaldo Koeman has discussed the future of Lionel Messi, who is currently a free agent after his Barcelona contract ended on 30 June. While the Barcelona coach says the situation is worrying, he remains calm and confident that the captain will put pen to paper on a new deal at Camp Nou after the Copa América.
"When something is not resolved, you have to be concerned. I have full confidence in the president (Joan Laporta) to fix this issue. It is very important for the club and also for LaLiga that the best player in the world stays," Koeman said this Friday.
"We all have to make an effort so that he stays. Each one is responsible for their own task. Laporta told me yesterday to be calm, that they are working on it and they are confident on reaching an agreement with Leo that will see him continue for a few more years."
Harvey Elliot signs new long-term deal with Liverpool
Harvey Elliott has signed a new deal that will keep at Liverpoollong-term. The 18-year-old joined the Reds from Fulham in 2019 and is viewed as bright prospect for the future at Anfield.
“It’s always a nice feeling when you sign a new contract – especially for your boyhood club. It’s all done and dusted now so I’ve just got to focus on pre-season, get my work in and make sure I’m ready for the season," Elliot told Liverpool FC's media outlet.
Elliot spent last season on loan with Blackburn Rovers, where he made 41 appearences, providing seven goals and 11 assists, and was nominated for the EFL’s Young Player of the Season award.
Barcelona land Yusuf Demir on loan
Samuel Marsden reporting that Barcelona have picked up Rapid Vienna prospect Yusuf Demir on loan. Barcelona will have the option to buy the 18-year-old Austrian forward for €10m.
Mourinho draws up a list of eight victims
The Portuguese coach has already set to work on his new job. In his first days as Roma coach, Mourinho has already made it clear to the board that he is not counting on a number of players for the new season.
According to Sky Italia, Pedro, Justin Kluivert, Robin Olsen, Steven Nzonzi, Davide Santon, Javier Pastore, Ante Coric and Federico Faziono have not been called up for pre-season.
They all received notice advising them of their status at the club and that there was no need for them to go to Trigoria, the club's training centre.
In other Mou chat, here he is yesterday talking about lighting!
Barcelona's negotiating weakness
As Sid Lowe reminds us, one thing is Barça having financial problems - that have seen them pushed into an uncomfortable position with Messi, having to sign free agents, and sell off decent talent - the other thing is that it weakens their hand when dealing with other clubs.
It will be very interesting to see how the summer transfer window ends for them.
Lokongo on verge of Arsenal move - Romano
According to transfer enthusiast Fabrizio Romano, the deal to take Albert Sambi Lokongo from Anderlecht to Arsenal is very, very close.
Chelsea's Giroud off to Milan?
In this picture you can see France's forward Olivier Giroud vying for a header (as he loves to do so effectively) with Switzerland's midfielder Remo Freuler during Euro 2020. But reports suggest that the Chelsea man could be heading to Serie A this summer.
It appears that Roman Abramovich is happy to let the striker leave for free and TuttoMercatoWeb say the Rossoneri are waiting for the final green light.
(Photo by Franck Fife/AFP)
Real Madrid's summer transfer dealings on hold
The summer is turning out to be a very long one for Real Madrid.
The club, led by General Director José Ángel Sánchez and supervised by Florentino Pérez, are working to have the squad for the new season finalised as soon as possible. The problem is that there remains a lot to do and some of the tasks are complex and require time.
It is looking like all of the work need to have the squad for the 2021/2022 season complete may not be finished until transfer deadline day, 31 August.
Here's what the current picture looks like in the Spanish capital.
Lewandowski: moving but not moving
The Bayern Munich striker is not expected to be part of any transfer package this summer, but he has been showing off to/getting some tips from (we're not sure which) local kids in Sardinia as he enjoys his holiday.
Liverpool's new signing and 'feel like' new signings
Liverpool's pre-season programme will begin on Monday 12 July with a training camp in Austria.
The Reds will start preparations for the 2021-22 campaign in the state of Salzburg, with a number of senior players set to report for duty on day one as part of a 34-man squad. Jürgen Klopp’s side will also undertake work across Austria at a base in Tyrol later in the camp.
New boy Ibrahima Konate as well as the returning Virgil van Dijk are included in the travelling squad.
Ramos turned down Man City and Arsenal
PSG were always Sergio Ramos' first choice after leaving Real Madrid, but they were certainly never his only option.
According to Goal the defender ruled out attractive offers from Manchester City and Arsenal. The former's was a deal until 2023, which also included three more years in New York to play MLS football for their franchise team.
Arsenal's "surprise" offer included a financial deal of 17.5m (£15m), with a two-year contract. In Arsenal's case, their non-participation in the upcoming Champions League was the factor that most deterred the centre-back.
Calabria renews Milan contract
The Italian defender has extended his contract with the Rossoneri until 2025.
A youth player, Calabria has been with Milan since the age of 10. Davide made his Serie A debut in May 2015, and has since made 151 appearances.
Ramos-Mbappé aligned
As we've reported in this paper on numerous occasions over the months, Real Madrid do not want a confrontation with PSG over their desired signing of Kylian Mbappé. And they see that the sale of their captain to the French giants could act as yet another softener to a deal getting done for the young forward.
The departure of Ramos has also helped to make room on Madrid's wage bill. They have already shaved 24 million gross from the total 448 million it pays out in wages to the almost 800 workers on its payroll.
However, even with 617 million in projected revenues for next season (they have fallen by 30% due to the coronavirus crisis), Madrid still has room to manoeuvre.
Liverpool keen to take Atlético Madrid's Saúl to Anfield
After Wijnaldum, Liverpool are looking for their Saúl mate
Puns aside, we told you yesterday that The Reds are reportedly ready to make a 40 million euro bid for the Atlético Madrid midfielder.
Atleti would be willing to sell Saúl but only at the right price. Whether that right price is in line with the Anfield club's thinking, we'll find out soon enough.
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.
Ramos speaks after PSG make signing official
The biggest news in the transfer world yesterday was confirmation of Sergio Ramos' move to PSG.
You can read what he, and others, had to say about it here.
Live transfer news: welcome
Hello and welcome to our daily transfer-news live blog for Friday 9 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.
Stay with us throughout the day for news as it breaks. Maybe your club will be part of it...