Soccer transfer news summary: Thursday 14 July 2022

Pressure on De Jong to leave Barcelona

Barcelona have told Frenkie de Jong they want him to leave the club to join Manchester United, The Athletic report.

Barcelona’s hierarchy have informed the Dutch midfielder that they need to sell him in order to balance their excessive wage bill.

At the time of writing, it is unclear whether De Jong will travel with Barcelona on the club's pre-season tour in the US.

Koulibaly puts pen to paper on Chelsea deal

Kalidou Koulibaly has signed his contract and will become a new Chelsea player following his medical today.

The defender will be announced as the club's second signing of the summer after Raheem Sterling joined from Manchester City on Wednesday.

Barcelona prepare bid for Azpilicueta

Barcelona have long been linked with a move for Chelsea defender César Azpilicueta and the Blaugrana are now ready to make an offer. 

There is already an agreement in place with the Catalan club and the Chelsea captain. It will be a two-year deal if he moves to Camp Nou.

Arsenal turn their attention to Zinchenko

Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City, according to David Ornstein.

The clubs are in contact over a potential transfer and it is believed that City are open to sanctioning the 25-year-old’s sale if their valuation is met.

The sides have already done business together this summer. Gabriel Jesus left City for a move to the North London club.

SOCCER

Raheem Sterling leaves Manchester City to become Chelsea’s first summer signing

Raheem Sterling has become Chelsea’s first summer signing, the club confirmed on Wednesday. After a successful seven years at the Etihad Stadium with Manchester City, he leaves for a reported €52 million.

The England international, who had one year left on his contract, wants a leading role on the pitch, something that Thomas Tuchel can offer him at Stamford Bridge.

Sterling and Tuchel recently chatted about life at the London club and the German’s future plans, both for the team and for the player. Tuchel convinced Chelsea’s owner Todd Boehly to make him their first summer signing.

Read more

Chelsea go cold on Cristiano Ronaldo

Chelsea have dropped their interest in Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo after completing the signing of Raheem Sterling.

It was claimed the Blues had been approached regarding the 37-year-old Portugal captain who is believed to have told United he wishes to leave Old Trafford.

However, widespread reports say Chelsea have turned down the prospect suggested by agent Jorge Mendes after discussions with Thomas Tuchel, with the head coach favouring a more versatile attack for the coming season.

The Stamford Bridge outfit appear unlikely to add further forward options following the recruitment of England international Sterling from Manchester City, with Romelu Lukaku having been sent on loan to Inter.

Vidal joins Flamengo

Arturo Vidal has completed his move to Flamengo after leaving Inter.

Vidal was available as a free agent after the midfielder's contract was terminated by mutual consent on Monday.

Rio de Janeiro club Flamengo have now confirmed the 35-year-old will continue his career in Brazil.

Vidal was at the Maracana for a 2-0 victory over Atletico Mineiro that put his new club into the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil.

Yarmolenko swaps East End for Middle East

Ukraine international Andriy Yarmolenko has joined UAE side Al-Ain after his contract with East London side West Ham United drew to a conclusion on June 30th. The player will join up with compatriot Sergei Rebrov who currently manages the UAE Pro League side.

Tuchel tight-lipped over Ronaldo and Lewandowski

Thomas Tuchel has not ruled out signing another striker but refused to be drawn on whether Chelsea could move for Cristiano Ronaldo or Robert Lewandowski.

The Blues on Wednesday made their first big signing of the Todd Boehly era, landing Raheem Sterling from Manchester City for a fee reported to be in the region of £45million.

Ronaldo has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge after he did not travel to Thailand and Australia for Manchester United's pre-season tour.

Lewandowski has informed Bayern Munich he wants a new challenge, although Barcelona are the favourites to sign the prolific striker.

He told Sky Sports: "I will not comment on them, their careers speak for themselves and it's not needed that I give another comment and put rumours out there, which do not help anybody. We will announce when something is to be announced."

'There is a group with a lot of quality' – Witsel basks in Atletico depth

Axel Witsel lauded Atletico Madrid's squad depth after he was unveiled as the club's latest signing on Wednesday.

Witsel joined Atleti on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract with Borussia Dortmund, after lucrative spells with Zenit Saint Petersburg and Tianjin Quanjian.

Despite Hector Herrera's departure, the Belgium international bolsters Atleti's midfield along with the return of Saul Niguez from his loan at Chelsea, joining Geoffrey Kondogbia and Daniel Wass as a defensive presence in the middle.

During his presentation at the Wanda Metropolitano, Witsel asserted this Atletico Madrid squad is the one with the "highest quality" over his career.

"This is a group with a lot of quality," Witsel said. "I could say many players – Koke, Joao [Felix], [Antoine] Griezmann, Yannick [Carrasco], [Matheus] Cunha.

Lingard to join Rooney at DC United?

New DC United boss Wayne Rooney is now looking to add to his squad with his old teammate and free agent Jesse Lingard a reported target. Premier League sides West Ham and Newcastle are also rumoured to be in the hunt for the 29-year-old.

Ousmane Dembele pens FCB extension

The French winger was a free agent after his contract expired on 30 June and both player and agent Sissoko have finally accepted the club’s last proposal. Dembele was without a club, has now inked a deal with Barcelona until June 2024.

Juan Mata linked with Leeds

The Asturian central player is a free agent upon his current deal with Man United expiring on 30 June and the veteran has been linked with the possibility of remaining in the Premier League with Leeds United.

Kounde on City radar

Manchester City are reported to be following the situation of Sevilla's French international defender Jules Kounde, as they look at possible replacements for 27-year-old Dutch defender Nathan Ake, who could join Chelsea. 

FC Barcelona are also monitoring the former Bordeaux player.

De Ketelaere prefers Milan move

Charles de Ketelaere prefers a move to current Serie A champions AC Milan despite interest from Leeds United for the Club Brugge striker, according to a number of sources.

Kimpembe next Chelsea target

Following the Raheem signing on Wednesday, Chelsea are now targeting PSG centre-back Presnel Kimpembe after almost securing Napoli and Senegal Kalidou Koulibaly's signature.

SOCCER

Which teams could Keylor Navas play for next season?

Soccer

Saudi Arabian club offers €300M for Cristiano Ronaldo

De Light on Bayern radar

Bayern Munich are reportedly edging closer to securing the signature of wantaway Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to Bild.

De Ligt is reportedly willing to lower his wage demands in order to help force through a move, after a gap in expectations between the two clubs over the initial offer.

Bayern's proposal to the Bianconeri was reportedly €70million with an extra €10m in bonuses, with the latter looking at €80m as a base to any package.

De Ligt's move to lower wage expectations gives the reigning Bundesliga champions added leverage over Juventus, who after Paulo Dybala's departure, would not want to see another star run down their contract.

Soccer transfer news live ticker: welcome

Good morning! It's Thursday 14 July 2022, and we have another day of summer transfer business ahead of us. Here we go, as a certain Italian journalist would say.