Soccer transfers news summary, Friday 8 July 2022

Di María's first interview as a Juve player

Ángel di María has given his first interview since his move to Juventus was sealed today, telling the club's in-house media team that the club is "like a family".

Full interview:

Odriozola aims to revive Real career

Defender Álvaro Odriozola says he’s “happy to be back home” at Real Madrid after returning from a successful season-long loan spell at Fiorentina.

Odriozola, 26, was sent to Italy after Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti deemed him surplus to requirements last term, but he is expected to compete for Los Blancos’ right-back berth in 2022/23.

Pogba: "I'm back, I'm here"

Paul Pogba has spoken to Juventus' in-house media department ahead of his move back to the Italian club. “I’m back, I’m here," the 29-year-old said. "I’m very, very happy. I can’t wait to get started and wear the Juventus jersey again. Again.”

Jovic joins Fiorentina

Serie A club Fiorentina have announced the signing of Luka Jovic, who moves to Florence after an unsuccessful three years at Real Madrid. Bought for just over $60m from Eintracht Frankfurt, the Serb has scored just three times for Los Blancos.

In a statement confirming the transfer, Fiorentina did not disclose details of the contract Jovic has signed at the club, only confirming that the striker has joined on a permanent deal.

Spurs announce Lenglet loan signing

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the signing of Barcelona defender Clément Lenglet. The Frenchman joins the Premier League club on a season-long loan deal, which Barça say doesn't include a purchase option.

Chelsea agree terms with Aké

Chelsea have reportedly finalised personal terms with Manchester City defender Nathan Aké, but are yet to agree a fee with the Dutchman's club. Aké, 27, joined Chelsea as a teenager in 2011, making 17 first-team appearances for the Blues before leaving for Bournemouth in a $24m deal in 2017.

"How nice to see you again"

Pogba himself has taken to social media with a message for the Juventus fans.

Pogba arrives in Turin

Juventus have shared photos of Paul Pogba arriving in Turin to complete his return to the Serie A giants on a free transfer. Fabrizio Romano has reported that the France midfielder, who spent four years with Juve between 2012 and 2016, will undergo a medical this weekend.

Soccer

Soccer vs football: Why do Americans call the sport something different?

"Silly Americans, always doing things differently - not using the metric system, measuring temperatures in Fahrenheit, driving mostly automatic cars, calling football 'soccer'."

Our Texas gal, Jennifer, takes some comfort by blaming the Brits for the term 'soccer.'

No Ronaldo in United tour squad

Manchester United have named a 31-man travelling squad for Tour 2022 ahead of the pre-season games in Thailand and Australia. Cristiano Ronaldo is not named.

Erik ten Hag's opening match comes against Liverpool on Tuesday in Bangkok.

Jovic in Florence

Fiorentina have released the first image of Jovic on Italian soil. The official signing of the Serbian striker is now just a matter of hours.

The player will pass the medical and sign his new contract.

The Boss welcomes Luca de la Torre

How better to introduce your new American signing than with a rendition of 'Born in the USA' by Bruce Springsteen.

That was certainly the feeling in Vigo for the social media team.

Jack Wilshire retires

The English burst onto the scene many years ago and was lined up by many to take the world by storm. There was no doubting his talents but injuries hit hard.

His time 'living his dream' has now come to an end...

LALIGA SANTANDER

Real Madrid players return to prepare for the 2022/23 season

Real Madrid is back! 

Los Blancos kicked off their pre-season on Friday, July 8, with the routine medical check-ups and the weigh-in of all the players to see at what point they begin their preparation for next season, where they'll be defending domestic and European crowns.

Tchouameni and Rudiger have already been brought in but Ancelotti still has other decisions to make on who stays and, potentially, who is still to arrive.

Dybala to reunite or replace Ronaldo at United?

According to ESPN, Juventus' Argentinian creative star, Paulo Dybala, has been offered to United.

Will the 28-year old fancy some time without Champions League football? Will he be more or less willing to join if Cristiano remains?

The fact that he will not involve a transfer fee, and that United are happy to pile up debt, it could be a tasty pay day for the player.

Di Maria's career at the top

Diego asks a valid question here. Di Maria's career across Benfica, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and now Juventus, is fairly impressive.

SOCCER

Who is USMNT midfielder Luca de la Torre set to sign for?

The trickle of transfers begins to fall like a summer shower in Vigo. After several weeks without movement Celta has managed to close the signing of midfielders Óscar Rodríguez and Luca de la Torre in the last few hours, while the arrival of central defender Unai Núñez is also complete.

De la Torre has the potential to catch the eye in LaLiga...

Man City welcome Alvarez

The 22-year-old signed a five-and-a-half-year contract with the club in January but remained at River Plate on loan until the end of the South American campaign.

His final match for River came on Thursday in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores last-16 match against Velez Sarsfield, a game which finished 0-0 and saw Velez progress 1-0 on aggregate.  

He will be unveiled to City fans at West Reception on Sunday, alongside fellow new signings Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips and Stefan Ortega Moreno.  

Bayern pushing hard for De Ligt

"Bayern Munich haven't come out of nowhere in the sense that they've been tracking Matthijs de Ligt for some time. He was linked with Bayern before he made the move to Juventus and they were watching him very carefully when he was part of that Ajax team that got to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019.

"Bayern do need defensive reinforcements as Niklas Sule made the somewhat surprising move to Borussia Dortmund and they wanted him to stay. 

"It looks as though De Ligt is very keen to move to Bayern. It's now a case of whether or not they can come up with an offer that Juventus want to accept."

Pogba en route to Juve

Following Di Maria to Turin is the highly-rated French midfielder who failed to light up Manchester United in recent years.

Can Paul Pogba shine once again at Juventus? From this Insta clip, he certainly seems excited.

The Old Lady's new Angel

We've been saying it was close and now I think we can nail it down as we see him with his new boss and in his new shirt.

Who's next to join Juventus? You know...

Ake to return to Chelsea

Reports are that Nathan Ake could join Raheem Sterling by swapping Man City for Chelsea. The difference is that he'll be somewhat more familiar with the furniture... unless Abramovich has taken it with him in the last couple of months!

Spurs says bye to Bergwijn

Tottenham Hotspur have bid farewell to Steven Bergwijn, who, as we told you yesterday, will now join Dutch giants Ajax.

Will they miss him? Conte seems to know what he's doing...

Bayern temptation for Ronaldo quadruple?

Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Premier League in England three times with Manchester United, Italy's Serie A twice with Juventus, and has two LaLiga titles with Real Madrid in Spain.

Reports are that CR7's clear desire to get out of Old Trafford is followed by an interest in moving to German juggernauts Bayern Munich, even being willing to take a pay cut to make it happen.

If it does come to pass, he has the very obvious chance of winning another of Europe's 'big five' leagues. No other player has achieved that feat.

Note: Only eight players have ever won league titles in four European leagues - including Arjen Robben, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Wesley Sneijder - but not in the so-called 'big five'.

Cristiano annoys fans with promotional pic

The overly regular new kit launch has Manchester United fans (or parents of young fans!) dipping into their pockets once again.

There is no doubt that the biggest name in their current squad is Ronaldo but most observers don't expect him to still be with the club when the new season begins. Is that just sneaky marketing tactics using him on the promotional material?

The image chosen certainly suggests he's looking to get that non-Champions League shirt off as soon as possible. If so, shame for those that have shelled out for one with his name on it.

City risks rise of Sterling

The news has gone down well in Chelsea’s dressing room. Raheem Sterling has agreed a move to Stamford Bridge and his new teammates are eagerly awaiting his arrival.

They know what Chelsea would be getting from Sterling: a solid professional whose commitment can never be questioned, an intelligent leader highly motivated after leaving Manchester City, and a proven Premier League goalscorer who should make it easier for Thomas Tuchel to build a more flexible and clinical attack.

There is no doubt that his signing would be an encouraging first step from Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s interim sporting director. The American may be new to the ruthless world of recruitment, but nobody could argue that he had failed to deliver on Sterling.

Jacob Steinberg looks into the imminent move.

Lenglet having Spurs medical

As reported by Sky Sports, Clément Lenglet is having his medical this morning.

He is said to have spent the night at Hotspur Way and Tottenham expect to complete the loan move within the next 24 hours.

That will see him join the tour tomorrow.

Juventus close in on Di María

More catch-up news as Fabrizio Romano reported last night that Ángel Di María is on the verge of officially becoming a Juventus player. 

He will be joined in Turin by former Manchester United player Paul Pogba.

Two major signings but fans of the Old Lady will be desperate that they can live up to their names.

Atlético addition

In case you missed the news, Atlético Madrid added Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel to their squad on Wednesday.

In an attempt to push the historical big two, his experience could help and he has penned a one-year contract at the Wanda Metropolitano. Witsel, 33, arrives in the Spanish capital after four years at Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.

Soccer transfer news, live updates: welcome

Good morning and a very warm welcome to our daily live blog for Friday 8 July 2022, bringing you the latest transfer news as clubs get their squads ready for the 2022/23 season.

Given what we've seen of late, and as pre-season tours get going, it's unlikely to be a quiet day, so stay with us and stay up to date.

Let's go...