Soccer transfers summary: 21 July 2021
Transfer updates live | Wednesday 21 July 2021
Soccer transfers live | Wednesday 21 July 2021
Headlines:
- David Alaba officially presented at Real Madrid
- Austrian takes Sergio Ramos' No. 4 shirt at Bernabéu
- Chelsea offered possible Hazard return (full story)
- Barcelona to unveil Memphis Depay on Thursday
- Van de Beek reportedly turns down Real Madrid loan move
- Bale decides to finish contract at Real Madrid (full story)
Take a look at our related news stories:
Real Madrid: Chelsea contacted over Eden Hazard return
Here's the full story on a possible Eden Hazard return to Chelsea.
Hazard return to Chelsea on the cards?
This newspaper's Carlos Forjanes is reporting that intermediaries have contacted Chelsea about taking Real Madrid flop Eden Hazard back to Stamford Bridge. Madrid would be willing to sell Hazard for around 60 million euros, Forjanes says, but the Blues are unlikely to want to part with such a figure for the Belgian.
Hazard, 30, joined Madrid for around 100 million euros in summer 2019, but has managed just five goals in 43 appearances in an injury-plagued spell in Spain.
(Photo: Mariano Pozo/Diario AS)
United offer Goretzka deal in 2022
German newspaper Bild has reported that Manchester United have offered Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka a salary of 20m euros a year if he moves to Old Trafford when his Bayern Munich contract runs out at the end of the 2021/22 season. Bayern are only willing to pay Goretzka half that, Bild says.
Atlanta United: Josef Martínez on his relationship with Gabriel Heinze
Venezuelan striker Josef Martínez says talk of him wanting to leave Major League Soccer team Atlanta United is untrue, insisting that he wants to spend the rest of his career with the franchise.
Flo: Haaland a "good fit" for any club, would settle easily in England
Former Chelsea striker Tore-Andre Flo believes fellow Norwegian Erling Haaland, who has been linked with the Blues, would have no trouble setting in in England and would be a "good fit" for any top club in the world.
"I don’t think he would have much problem adapting to English football," Flo told bookmakers.co.uk. "The culture over in England is quite similar and the way of living for someone coming from Norway would be quite easy, or at least it was for me.
"We all already speak the language quite well, so there should be no problem there. Obviously, on the pitch, it can be much tougher because it’s a very tough league, tougher than any other in the world I think.
"That is the biggest challenge for players coming from Scandinavia. But then that’s a challenge for most players coming to the Premier League from other countries.
"I think pretty much any club would be a good fit for him because he’s an exceptionally good player and has scored a lot of goals. He seems to just get better and better. With what he’s shown so far, especially in the Champions League against all types of very good opposition, he’s proven that he can score goals at any level."
Spurs close in on Gollini
Tottenham are nearing a deal to sign Atalanta goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, Fabrizio Romano reports. The 26-year-old is expected to join the Premier League club on an initial loan.
Alaba inherits Ramos' Real shirt
New Real Madrid signing David Alaba has taken the No. 4 shirt vacated by former captain Sergio Ramos, who left the LaLiga giants this summer after 16 years at the Bernabéu.
Alaba was today officially unveiled by Madrid, having joined Los Blancos on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.
Van de Beek turns down Real Madrid loan move - reports
Despite having had very little game time with Manchester United last season, it seems Donny van de Beek is keen to stay at Old Trafford. According to Manchester Evening News, the Dutch midfielder has turned down the opportunity of a one-year loan move to Real Madrid, who had been previously linked with the player before his arrival in Manchester last summer. Van de Beek wants to stay at Old Trafford to focus on winning the confidence of coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
PSG maintaining contact with Koulibaly
PSG remain in contact with Kalidou Koulibaly after a representative of the Napoli defender met with PSG in Paris this week, according to Foot Mercato.
Villa eye Leverkusen's Leon Bailey
TalkSPORT reports that Aston Villa are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey, who is open to the move to the Birgmingham-based club. Are the Villains preparing to spend money ahead of Jack Grealish's departure? TalkSport say they are ready to spend £30m on the Jamaican international amid speculation that Grealish could soon by Man City-bound.
Arsenal eyeing James Maddison
Arsenal are reportedly targeting Leicester midfielder James Maddison. The Foxes will be reluctant to sell but are understood to be open to offers of around the €50 million. Maddison, who is one of the pillars of the Leicester squad, only last year renewed his deal until 2024.
Alaba officially presented at Real Madrid
David Alaba has been officially presented at the Real Madrid today, where he met with his new coach and captain, Carlo Ancelotti and Marcelo.
"I'm very proud and grateful to wear this white jersey of Real Madrid," said the Austrian defender in his first press conference as a Real Madrid player. "For sure I will give everything so that we will be successful together."
Dortmund in talks for Malen
More news coming from Fabrizio Romano: Dortmund are in contact with Mino Raiola in a bit to sign PSV's Donyell Malen, who would come in to replace Manchester United-bound Jadon Sancho.
Done deal: Gray to Everton
Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano reporting that Bayer Leverkusen's Demerai Gray to Everton is a done deal. He has passed his medical and his signing will be confirmed imminently by the Toffees.
Pjanic wants Jvuentus return
With things having so far not worked out for him at Barcelona, Miralem Pjanić wants to return to Juventus and is willing to accept a pay cut to make it happen. That's according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Depay presented today at Barcelona
Memphis Depay will be officially presented as a Barcelona player later today at Camp Nou. The Dutch striker has joined Barca from Lyon on a free transfer, adding more strength to coach Ronald Koeman's attacking line for next season.
Pogba linked with PSG move
According to L'Equipe, PSG want Pogba and Man Utd have set their price for the French midfielder at €50 million. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reports that his agent Mino Raiola is already in talks with PSG and is putting pressure on United to allow the move to happen. With Pogba's contract set to expire in 2022, United hope that they can convince him to renew but if not they risk losing him on a free next summer, which is why selling him this summer is a real possibiltiy if they know he has no intentions of extending his stay at Old Trafford.
Reguilón gives thumbs-up to Bryan Gil
Tottenham full-back Sergio Reguilón appears to be pleased at the prospect of fellow Spaniard Bryan Gil joining him in North London. Reguilón has liked a social-media post by Fabrizio Romano, in which the transfers expert reveals that Spurs are in talks with Sevilla over a swap deal involving midfielder Gil, 20, and Argentine winger Erik Lamela.
Rafinha could be on his way out of PSG
Georginio Wijnaldum’s arrival at Paris Saint-Germain has left fellow midfielder Rafinha Alcántara’s future at the club in doubt, L’Équipe reports. PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is said to be open to dispensing with the Brazilian, who moved to the Parc des Princes on a three-year deal in 2020.
(Photo: Stephane Mahe/Reuters)
Scott Carson extends stay at Manchester City
Veteran goalkeeper Scott Carson has signed a one-year extension with Manchester City after spending the past two seasons on loan with the Premier League champions from Derby County.
The 35-year-old former England goalkeeper will continue to provide cover for Ederson and Zack Steffen. City manager Pep Guardiola praised him as being "like a captain behind the scenes".
Begovic completes move to Everton
After announcing the signing of Andros Townsend, Everton confirmed that Asmir Begovic has joined one a one-year deal with the option of a second season. The Bosian keeper joins Rafa Benítez's side from Bournemouth.
Braithwaite to continue at Barcelona, says agent
Martin Braithwaite is happy at Barcelona and has no plans to leave, according to his agent. The Danish striker was rumoured to be seeking an exit from Camp Nou but that information was dismissed by Hasan Cetinkaya
"Martin Braithwaite is playing for the biggest club in the world, he is working under one of the best coaches in the world. From his first day at the club until now, all of his expectations about how much playing time he would get at Barcelona have been fulfilled. He's very happy there," his agent Hasan Cetinkaya told BT Sport.
Barcelona rule out Griezmann-Saúl swap deal
Talks have broken down and the conditions demanded by Barcelona have been rejected by Atlético.
Transfer window live updates: welcome
Hello and welcome to our live transfers blog for Wednesday 21 July 2021. We'll make sure to keep you updated with all the major deals and rumours as they emerge throughout another day in summer-window wonderland.