Soccer transfer updates: 17 July
Transfer updates | Saturday 17 July
Soccer transfers live updates, 18 July: signings and news from LaLiga, Premier League, Serie A...
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Celtic sign Starfelt
Carl Starfelt is set to join Celtic from Rubin Kazan. A deal between the two clubs is already inplace, Fabrizio Romano reports but an official statement is expected early next week.
Barcelona's impossible task of selling Coutinho
Barcelona are working overtime in a bid to make further reductions to the squad wages bill so that they can register Messi and the four players who they signed at the start of the pre-season - Kun Agüero, Memphis Depay, Eric Garcia and Emerson Royal. The plan is to find new clubs for the players who earn a lot but contribute little, but none of the cases they are dealing with are quite as complicated as Philippe Coutinho's.
Arsenal agree fee for Ben White
Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White for 50 million pounds ($68.86 million), British media reported on Saturday. Sky Sports reported Brighton have added a sell-on clause for White, who was a late call up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2020.
After being released by Southampton in 2014, White secured a move to Brighton and made an impact at the south coast club following loan spells with Newport County, Peterborough United and Leeds United. White was one of the standout performers for Graham Potter's Brighton last season, making 36 Premier League appearances in the heart of the defence.
Meanwhile, Brighton confirmed winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh has completed a permanent move to Dutch side Feyenoord on a three-year contract. The Iran international joined Brighton from Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar in 2018 but struggled for regular first-team chances, scoring four goals in 61 appearances in all competitions. "Ali has been a very good professional and great to work with, but this move is a good one and gives him the chance of more regular game time, which is not something we are able to guarantee," Potter said in a statement. "I'd like to thank Ali for his hard work during my time here and wish him all the best for the future."
Ballo-Touré arrives in Italy to complete Milan move
Monaco left-back Fodé Ballo-Touré has arrived in northern Italy to complete his transfer to AC Milan. The 24-year-old made 24 appearances in Ligue 1 last season and served up four assists. He is expected to sort out the final details of a proposed €4.5M move to Milan where he will act as cover for Theo Hernandez.
Pastore to Monaco?
Football agent Marcelo Simonian was asked about Javier Pastore's future and admitted that Monaco are keen on the winger: "Monaco? it's possible. They are a club who Pastore admires". The 32-year-old Argentinean, missed most of last season after undergoing hip surgery. He is under contract with Roma until 2024.
Varane, open to a four-year deal with United
Raphaël Varane is willing to accept Manchester United's offer of a contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until 2026 - if he can reach an agreement with Real Madrid to release him over the next few days, Fabrizio Romano reports. Varane is hoping to realise his dream of playing in the Premier League but will be respectful in his negotiations with Madrid.
Inter CEO admits Bellerín interest
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta admitted that the club is interested in the Arsenal defender, as he told Sky Sport: “Héctor Bellerin is a player who we are following, but I can't say any more. Alex Telles? I cannot rule out that possibility, but we are making plans and we will see. Right now we are trying to hang on to our best players after selling Hakimi”.
Gollini on Tottenham's radar
According to Sky Italia, Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini is being tracked by Tottenham as they look for a potential successor for Hugo Lloris. Spurs are believed to be seeking a loan deal for the 26-year-old.
Klopp aiming to trim Liverpool squad
Liverpool are in Austria for the first part of their pre-season with their first friendly on Tuesday against Wacker Innsbruck; and while the players are getting back into the routine, plans are afoot to tweak the squad ahead of the new campaign. According to The Athletic, up to nine players could leave Anfield over the summer - they include: Marko Grujic, Harry Wilson, Nat Phillips, Neco Williams, Sheyi Ojo, Loris Karius, Divock Origi, Xherdan Shaqiri and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Grujic has been linked with a move to Porto while Lazio are reported to be ready to off €12million for Shaqiri.
Giroud says 'ciao' to Milan
Straight from the horse's official social media account...
'Hello Milan fans, I am very proud to have Italian origins and I can't wait to start this exciting adventure with you.
Thank you to Ivan Gazidis, whom I have known for a long time, Paolo Maldini, Frederic Massara and Mr Pioli for the welcome. Go Milan'
This particular football journalist believes the Frenchman could be a big hit for the Rossoneri.
Ramsey-Pjanic swap on the cards?
Juve are consideing a swap deal involving Welsh international Ramsey for Barcelona's Pjanic
Busio set to secure move to new Serie A side Venezia FC
Newly promoted Venezia are in advanced talks to sign 19-year-old USMNT midfielder Gianluca Busio from MLS outfit Sporting KC
Locatelli bid rejected by Sassuolo
Goal claims Juventus have had their initial €30million offer for Manuel Locatelli rejected by Sassuolo, who have a higher price in mind.
CR7 to stay with Juve
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to remain with Juventus amid talk of a new cut-price deal, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Portugal international has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain and former club Manchester United this off-season. However, Ronaldo is close to extending his Juve stay with a fresh one-year contract, taking a pay cut.
Doyle leaves City for Sunderland loan
The 17-year-old was a key figure in Manchester City’s Under-23s team last season, helping the club’s youth team to win the Premier League 2 title.
Arsenal to pay £50m for Ben White
The man in the know in the transfer market, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal will pay £50m to Brighton after their offer was accepted for Ben White, who will sign a 5-year deal at the Emirates...
Tottenham close to Son renewal
According to Football Insider, Tottenham is close to agreeing a renewal deal with Son Heung-Min. Spurs have offered the South Korean player a hefty contract worth 200,000 pounds a week in a bid to keep him at the Tottenham Stadium as the club's other star, Harry Kane, looks set to leave.
Man City plan to sell Sterling despite Euro 2020 heroics
Raheem Sterling enjoyed an impressive showing at Euro 2020. One of the heroes on England’s road to the final, Sterling was rightly chosen in UEFA’s Best XI of the tournament in recognition of his performance.
Before the tournament the 26-year-old forward had been struggling for his place at Manchester City over the course of last season, according to the Athletic, Pep Guardiola’s position on the player has not changed despite his Euro 2020 heroics, with the club ready to offload him to finance other operations.
New PSG signing Achraf positive for covid-19
Just days after completing his €60 million move from Inter Milan to PSG, Achraf has tested positive for covid-19 and is now following health and safety protocols.
Official: Giroud signs for AC Milan
AC Milan have confirmed the signing of Olivier Giroud from Chelsea. The French striker will be wearing the number 9 jersey at San Siro. Giroud heads to Milan after spending nine years in London, six of those were spent with Arsenal with the final three at Stamford Bridge.
Milan offer Brahim '10' shirt
Inter Milan have reportedly offered Brahim Díaz de '10' shirt. With Hakan Çalhanoğlu moving onto Inter, the number '10' is now free meaning it will now likely be handed to Brahim, who spent last season on loan at Milan from Real Madrid.
As reported by AS, Milan and Real Madrid have agreed to two-year loan deal, with the Serie A side having the right to purchase him for €22m at the end of that period.
Arsenal want Odegaard permanently
Arsenal are "ready to pounce" for Martin Odegaard should Real Madrid choose to make him available this summer, according UK reports. The 22-year-old Norwegian midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan with the Gunners but has expressed his desire to make his career at the Bernabéu despite having been sent out on repeated loan assignments.
Mourinho wants Icardi
New Roma boss Jose Mourinho has his eye on Mauro Icardi, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica. Roma are currently trying to engineer the exits of Justin Kluivert (Nice) and Robert Olsen (Lille), while also working on bringing in Granit Xhaka and Filip Kostic. Now Mourinho has reportedly added Icardi to the list of priorities.
Ben White Arsenal bound
Arsenal have reportedly had their £50 million bid for Ben White accepted by Brighton. The Gunners will complete the signing of the England international once he returns from holiday.
Arsenal closing in on Lokonga, White
Arsenal moves for Anderlecht midfielder Sambi Lokonga and Brighton defender Ben White are “almost done”, Fabrizio Romano reports.
Gareth Bale not returning to Spurs
New Spurs coach Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale will not be returning to Tottenham next season, with MD reporting the Los Blancos will have "to put up with" the Welshman as he sees out the last year of his contract at the Bernabéu.
"He will not be part of our squad," Nuno responded bluntly in his first first press conference as Spurs head coach.
Inter Milan targetting Bellerin
BBC reports that Inter Milan are stepping up their efforts to sign Arsenal's Hector Bellerin.
Giroud bids farewell to CFC ahead of Milan move
The French striker took to Twitter to post a message of gratitude to 'the whole club' (Chelsea) ahead of his move to Serle A side AC Milan
Granada sign Monchu
Granada have confirmed the signing of Barcelona youth product Ramón Rodríguez Jiménez 'Monchu'. The midfielder, 21, spent last season on loan at Segunda División club Girona, having made 66 appearances for Barça B between 2017 and 2020.
Monchu played once for Barcelona's first team, coming on as a late substitute in a Champions League clash against Napoli in August 2020.
Napoli boss Spalletti on Insigne contract: "We'll see"
New Napoli head coach Luciano Spalletti did not dispel doubts over the future of Lorenzo Insigne on Friday, telling reporters when asked about the Italy star’s contract situation: “Let’s wait until he’s back from his holidays and he talks to [club president Aurelio De Laurentiis], and then we’ll see.”
Insigne, who was part of the Italy side that won Euro 2020 this summer, is out of contract at Napoli at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Brighton secure Scherpen signing
Brighton have announced the signing of Ajax goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, who joins the Premier League club "on undisclosed terms". Scherpen, 21, has won eight caps for Netherlands Under-21s.
Transfer news live updates: welcome
Hello and welcome to our live transfer-news blog for Saturday 17 July. We'll endeavour to keep you abreast of all the happenings in this summer's transfer window as news breaks.