Soccer transfer news summary: Saturday 16 July 2022

Bayern tie up Gnabry deal

Bayern Munich held their annual team presentation on Saturday in the absence of Robert Lewandowski but the Bundesliga champions were able to announce a new deal for Germany international Serge Gnabry, who had also been heavily linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena this summer.

Bayern look to De Ligt

Matthijs de Ligt has been linked with a move from Juventus but the Serie A giants have been playing hardball over a fee, insisting he will not leave for less than €100m. Chelsea's signing of Kalidou Koulibaly has closed the Stamford Bridge door and the Netherlands international is running out of options. However, Bayern may be looking to reinvest the €45m they will pocket for Robert Lewandowski's move to Barça on the 22-year-old former Ajax defender. 

BARCELONA

Why has Barcelona boss Xavi been prevented from entering the US?

Xavi Hernández, however, has been prevented from joining his squad on the Miami-bound plane this Saturday due to a visa issue picked up on by the US customs authorities.

Frenkie de Jong travels to the US

There had been some suggestions that Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong may be omitted from the Barça squad traveling to the US for a pre-season tour as the Camp Nou hierarchy attempt to raise funds by steering the 25-year-old towards Old Trafford, but he is included after all.

SOCCER

What jersey number will Lewandowski wear at Barcelona?

AS USA's Rob Train takes a look at what shirt Lewandowski is most likely to take at the Camp Nou.

Bayern confirm Lewandowski deal with Barcelona

Bayern Munich's president, Herbert Hainer, has confirmed that the German champions have a "verbal agreement" in place with Barcelona over the transfer of Robert Lewandowski. 

"Robert is an incredible player and he won everything with us," Hainer said. "We are incredibly grateful to him."

Bayern not keen on Cristiano, Salihamidzic says - again

Having previously poured cold water on suggestions that the Bundesliga champions could sign Cristiano Ronaldo, Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salhimadzic has reiterated that the club aren't interested in the wantaway Manchester United forward.

Speaking to German media outlet Sport 1, Salhimadzic said:

Valladolid, Torino favourites to land Reinier on loan

Another Real Madrid youngster seemingly on the move is Reinier Jesus, with AS’ Jesús Domínguez and Carlos Forjanes reporting that Real Valladolid and Torino are leading the chase to take the 20-year-old Brazilian on loan.

Signed from Flamengo in 2020, Reinier is also yet to make his competitive debut for Madrid. He spent the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons on loan at Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, scoring once in 39 appearances.

(Photo: Antonio Villalba/Real Madrid via Getty Images)

Real Madrid's Kubo poised for Real Sociedad move

My colleague Roberto Ramajo reports that midfielder Takefusa Kubo is set to join Real Sociedad on a five-year contract.

The Japan international, 21, is expected to undergo a medical imminently, ahead of a $5m move from Real Madrid, who are negotiating a buy-back option.

Kubo joined Madrid in 2019, but has failed to make a competitive appearance for Los Blancos. He has had loan spells at fellow LaLiga clubs Real Mallorca (twice), Villarreal and Getafe.

(Photo: Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

How can Barcelona sign players?

If you're wondering how Barcelona can be so cash-strapped yet at the same time make so many signings, Spanish soccer journalist Sid Lowe has written a piece for ESPN that should answer your question.

SOCCER

Ancelotti on Tchouaméni’s chances of a starting place at Real Madrid

Speaking to the media on Friday, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti talked about the impact that new signings Aurélien Tchouaméni and Antonio Rüdiger can have at the Bernabéu.

“Tchouaméni and Rüdiger will bring quality to the squad because, they were the best players in their positions who were available on the market," Ancelotti said.

"Rüdiger is a great centre-back - who can play in several different positions.

"And Tchouaméni is the same. He’s very young and he’s got time to develop and a great future ahead of him. He’s also a key player for France. So we will make the most of this tour to help them to adapt to our squad, and we will adapt to the qualities which they have."

Ancelotti discussed Tchouaméni's chances of starting against Barcelona in Las Vegas on 23 July - check out his comments.

Arsenal close to signing Zinchenko

Arsenal are reportedly nearing a deal for Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, 25.

TalkSPORT reports that the Ukrainian international’s relationship with Gunners head coach Mikel Arteta, a former assistant at City, has put them in pole position to take the player to North London.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Zinchenko will cost Arsenal a fee of about £30m ($35m).

Lewandowski bids Bayern colleagues farewell

Fabrizio Romano reports that Robert Lewandowski has said his goodbyes at Bayern Munich and will be a Barcelona player within the next day, having already spoken to Xavi Hernández about the Blaugrana boss' plans for the striker.

PREMIER LEAGUE

How much will Koulibaly earn at Chelsea?

My colleagues Guillermo Raimundo and Mirko Calemme take a look at the figures involved in Kalidou Koulibaly's move to Chelsea.

TRANSFERS

Barcelona signs Lewandowski from Bayern: how much money will he earn? Salary and transfer fee

Here's our full report on the news that Robert Lewandowski is close to securing a move to Barcelona.

SOCCER

Laporta: “Frenkie de Jong will travel to the United States”

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has denied reports that the club are preparing to leave Frenkie de Jong out of their US tour in a bid to pressure the Dutchman into accepting a move to Manchester United.

Speaking as Barça unveiled new signing Raphinha, Laporta also denied that the Blaugrana need to sell De Jong to balance the books.

"It is not true that we are obliged to sell Frenkie de Jong," Laporta told reporters. "Xavi is the one who decides and I understand that the player will be travelling to the United States."

AS USA's Juan Jiménez has the full story

Soccer

Eriksen still has ‘major ambitions’ to achieve after completing move to Man Utd

Speaking after his move to Old Trafford was confirmed, Eriksen said: “Manchester United is a special club, and I cannot wait to get started.

“I have had the privilege of playing at Old Trafford many times but to do it in the red shirt of United will be an amazing feeling.”

Eriksen's comments in full

Soccer

Christian Eriksen completes move to Manchester United

In case you missed it, Manchester United confirmed the capture of midfielder Christian Eriksen on Friday. The Denmark international, who was a free agent after leaving Brentford, has penned a three-year contract at Old Trafford.

AS USA's Jen Bubel has the full story

Chelsea confirm Koulibaly signing

Another major piece of transfer news this morning concerns Chelsea, who have announced the signing of Napoli central defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegal international, 31, moves to Stamford Bridge on a four-year deal.

Speaking to the club's website, Koulibaly said: "I’m very happy to be here with this team at Chelsea. It's a big team in the world and my dream was always to play in the Premier League.

"Chelsea came first to get me in 2016 but we didn’t make it. Now when they came to me I accepted it because they really wanted me to come to the Premier League to play for them.

"When I spoke to my good friends Edou [Senegal team-mate Édouard Mendy] and [former Napoli club-mate] Jorginho they made my choice easier so I’m really happy to be with you today."

Barcelona poised to seal Lewandowski deal

The chief news in Transferland this morning is that Barcelona appear to be on the verge of signing Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski.

Spanish radio station Cadena SER reports that Barça have a deal in place to purchase the 33-year-old for $45m plus add-ons.

My colleagues Javier Miguel and Juan Jiménez report that Lewandowski can be expected to sign a three-year contract at the Camp Nou, with the option for a further 12 months.

Transfer news live updates: welcome

Good morning! It's Saturday 16 July 2022, and welcome to AS USA's latest daily transfer blog. Let's get to it.