Stewart Downing expects more signings to join him at Middlesbrough

Stewart Downing expects more eye-catching signings to follow him to Middlesbrough and help his hometown club push for promotion.

The 31-year-old has returned to the Riverside after stints at Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham United and is hoping to be back in the Premier League sooner rather than later.

Downing will be expected to spearhead that challenge of going one better than last season’s play-off final defeat by Norwich City but the £5m capture has been assured other proven players will be coming on board.

“For me it was a good time to come back,” he said. “I had a good offer from Middlesbrough, so the security of the contract was good, but the pull was my hometown club. It was also the plans the chairman has and players he was bringing in. I can’t tell you who they are but they are good players.

“I think there’s a really good chance of promotion and I’d like to be part of it. The facilities are first-class, which should be a pull for any player.”

The Scotland international Jordan Rhodes has been heavily linked with a switch to Teesside, but Blackburn’s valuation of the player – believed to be around £12m – has proved problematic to previous suitors.

Read More

Crystal Palace sign Alex McCarthy from Queens Park Rangers on four-year deal

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of the goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from Queens Park Rangers on a four-year deal. The 25-year-old, who moved to QPR from Reading in August last year and made three appearances in the top flight, joins for an undisclosed fee.

“When I first heard about Palace’s interest I was excited because I really wanted to be back in the Premier League,” the former England Under-21 international told his new club’s website: “Towards the end of last season I started hearing little inklings about a move and then gradually over the summer things progressed.”

McCarthy joined Reading as a 16-year-old and made 70 league appearances – as well as going out on loan several times. He was called up to Roy Hodgson’s England squad in May 2013 for the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

McCarthy becomes Alan Pardew’s third summer signing following the arrivals at Selhurst Park of the France midfielder Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain for £12.5m and the striker Patrick Bamford on a season’s loan from Chelsea.

Read More

Liverpool complete £32.5m signing of Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke

Brendan Rodgers has finally captured his No1 summer transfer target afterChristian Benteke completed his £32.5m transfer to Liverpool from Aston Villa.

The Belgium international becomes the seventh new arrival at Anfield since the end of last season. Benteke is understood to have signed a five-year contract, with Liverpool paying £16m up front and the remainder of the fee payable over the course of his contract.

Rodgers’ pursuit of the 24-year-old has been a lengthy one as the club were initially not prepared to meet the striker’s buy-out clause but after the sale of Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in a £49m deal last week there was a change of heart.

“I’m very happy to be here and I would like to thank the owners, Ian [Ayre, chief executive] and of course the manager for their massive effort to bring me here,” the striker told Liverpool’s website. “I think it was the right club for me because I had a good chat with the manager and I wanted to be part of his project.

“I know Liverpool is a big story. They’ve won league titles and the Champions League five times and of course the Uefa Cup and a lot of trophies. I know it’s a big club.

“I’m very happy to be part of the Liverpool family now and I will do everything to make them happy and work hard for them and my team-mates.”

Benteke will not meet most of his new team-mates until they return after Friday’s match against a Malaysia XI in Kuala Lumpur.

He already knows a couple of them – goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and Divock Origi - from the national team and believes the summer recruitment has given the Reds a chance of winning silverware.

“I think there are quality players, a lot of good players with big names of course,” he added. “I’m happy to be part of this team and will [try] to help this team reach its goals.

“I want to be the best and I want to reach the best of myself.

“I came here to win trophies. I came here to reach some great goals with the team.”

Read More

Gabon denies paying Barcelona’s Lionel Messi £2.5m for Ali Bongo visit

The Gabonese government have denied claims that Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was paid €3.5m (£2.5m) to visit the country to take part in a ceremony at one of the venues for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Messi, who has yet to link up with his Barcelona team-mates on their US tour, was pictured at the weekend in the country’s second largest city, Port-Gentil, where he helped to lay one of the first stones for the planned 40,000-capacity venue.

France Football had claimed that he and his former Barça team-mate Deco received €3.5m for the trip but a statement from the Gabon embassy has denied that was the case.

“The Republic of Gabon strongly denies having transferred or having promised to transfer any sum of money to the Argentine international football player Lionel Messi, who was in Gabon from 17 to 18 July 2015 on the invitation of Ali Bongo,” it read.

The four-times Ballon d’Or winner was also criticised for showing his support for Bongo, the controversial Gabonese leader, who has been accused of committing electoral fraud to remain in power and various human rights abuses. Messi later appeared at one of the president’s restaurants in the city, with Bongo explaining how the meeting had come about.

“When I was in Barcelona a few years ago, I met Messi who had told me that he would come to visit me in Libreville,” he said. “It’s a promise he made me. He is a man of honour who just kept his word.”

Meanwhile, Gabon’s opposition party have accused Messi of showing a “lack of respect for standards and principles” after he turned up wearing denim shorts and a T-shirt.

A statement from the Union du Peuple Gabonais (UPG) party read: “The messiah of football arrived in Gabon like he were going to a zoo: dirty, unshaven and his hands in his pockets, looking for peanuts to throw to them!

“When you’re called Lionel Messi and you’re a multi-billionaire, you don’t have the right to present yourself to officials of a republic, even a banana one, with your hands in the pockets of a ripped, tattered pair of shorts.

“Gabon isn’t a zoo. We don’t know what the Argentine came to Gabon for, but we at least have the right to denounce his negligence and his lack of respect for standards and principles. We are uneasy with Messi’s attitude and his attire. Only for these reasons, linked to respect for the host country, do we condemn the footballer’s indelicateness, to say the least!”

Read More

PSG sign Benjamin Stambouli from Tottenham on five-year contract

Paris Saint-Germain have announced the signing of the midfielder Benjamin Stambouli from Tottenham on a five-year contract. Stambouli, 24, joined the London club from Montpellier, but has opted to move on after just one season at White Hart Lane.

Stambouli, who made 25 appearances for Spurs in all competitions, said: “I am delighted and very proud to become a member of the Paris Saint-Germain family.

“I wasn’t necessarily planning to leave the Premier League after one year, but when a club the size of Paris Saint-Germain calls you, it makes your choice a lot easier. That’s the moment when you can experience the power of attraction surrounding this club. I will now focus on my preparation.”

Stambouli, whose only Tottenham goal came in a Europa League match against Partizan Belgrade in November, will join his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp in New Jersey.

The PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi said a return to France would help “rediscover a player who was full of promise when he was playing in Ligue 1”.

Stambouli becomes the latest midfielder to leave Spurs this summer, following the exits of Paulinho, Lewis Holtby and Etienne Capoue.

Read More

Newcastle confirm signing of Aleksandar Mitrovic from Anderlecht

Newcastle United have signed the striker Aleksandar Mitrovic on a five-year deal from Anderlecht.

The 20-year-old arrives subject to receiving the appropriate visa in a deal the club claims is the fourth biggest in their history.

The Serbia international said: “There will be pressure here, for sure, but I like pressure. I also know about the famous players who have played for Newcastle United, like Alan Shearer who is a hero of mine. I hope I can play like him for this club. It will be an honour.

“I am so happy to have signed for Newcastle. I visited the stadium yesterday and it’s amazing. I have played in a lot of impressive stadiums in my career but St. James’ Park is so big, I can’t wait to play my first game here.

“I know how passionate the fans are. This is a club with a very big history and the fans are a big part of that.”

In two seasons at Anderlecht, Mitrovic scored 36 goals in 69 games and won the Belgian Pro League title and Belgian Super Cup in 2014. He started his career at the Serbian side Teleoptik and has one goal in 13 games for his country.

Mitrovic follows the PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum to St James’ Park and the head coach Steve McClaren believes they have pulled off a coup.

“I think this is a fantastic signing for us. We’ve fought off a lot of competition to secure a top young talent in Europe,” he said.

“Aleksandar is someone who can develop with the team and someone who will help us to get to where we want to go.

“As a board we have worked hard to make it happen. It’s another demonstration that we are wanting to push on.”

Read More

British comedian throws fake money at Blatter

The man behind the popular TV character 'Jason Bent' pulled off another audacious publicity stunt at the expense of the under-fire Fifa president

A British comedian interrupted a Fifa press conference on Monday and threw fake bank notes at outgoing president Sepp Blatter.

The man has been identified as television broadcaster Simon Brodkin, who is renowned for his publicity stunts, having most recently crashed rapper Kanye West's set at the Glastonbury music festival.

Responding to the incident when the conference eventually started, Blatter said: "I'm sorry what just happened. This has nothing to do with football.

"I just called my mother and she said, 'Don't worry, it's just a lack of education.'

"I am still alive, the waves of the tsunami have not taken me away."

The Swiss was speaking after it was confirmed that a vote will be held on February 26 to decide his successor.

Blatter secured another term as president at an election in Zurich last month but he subsequently decided to stand down after feeling that he had lost the support of many within the football world in the wake of the corruption scandal that has rocked Fifa.

Fourteen people have been arrested as part of an FBI-led investigation into allegations of bribery dating back to 1991. In addition, Swiss authorities have launched a separate inquiry into the votes that saw Russia and Qatar awarded the rights to host the next two World Cups.

Blatter, who has been at the helm of Fifa since 1998, has not been accused of any wrongdoing in either caseyet he has faced severe public criticism over his running of the game's governing body.

Brodkin, meanwhile, is well known to British football fans for one of his characters, 'Jason Bent', who is a parody of the average Premier League footballer.

Read More

Fifa election set for February 26

Sepp Blatter was re-elected as president last month but then decided to stand down at the earliest opportunity amid a corruption scandal

A new Fifa president will be elected at an Extraordinary Congress on February 26.

The date was confirmed on Monday following an Extraordinary General Meeting of the governing body in Zurich.

Outgoing president Sepp Blatter laid down his mandate back in June, just four days after he won a fifth consecutive term by beating Prince Ali bin Hussein in an election in late May.

Blatter's decision to step down came in the wake of a corruption probe in which 14 people, including nine Fifa officials, were indicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy and corruption two days before that election.

And his presidency will now come to an end in seven months' time, with Uefa president Michel Platini widely tipped as a front-runner to succeed him.

Platini has not confirmed whether he will stand but is reported to have the support of Europe, South America and Asia as well as the Concacaf confederation.

It is unclear who would potentially run against Platini, although former Brazil international Zico has also stated he would like to stand for the presidency.

Read More

Stambouli joining PSG, confirms Blanc

The Tottenham midfielder moved from Montpellier last summer, making just 12 Premier League appearances and is now poised to complete his transfer back to France

Benjamin Stambouli will finalise his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain from Tottenham on Monday, according to Laurent Blanc.

The 24-year-old joined Spurs from Montpellier last summer for a fee believed to be £4.7 million (€6m) but made just 12 Premier League appearances in his maiden Premier League campaign.

PSG are reported to have agreed to pay £6m (€8.6m) to secure Stambouli's signature this summer, and Blanc has now revealed that the midfielder's move is done.

"Benjamin Stambouli will definitely join us tomorrow afternoon, Monday afternoon," Blanc told Le Parisienon Sunday.

"He has to pass a medical test and once this is the case he will be with us. He could play on Tuesday against Fiorentina but we need to do collective training with us before.

"He followed a normal preparation with his former club, even if he did nothing for two or three days."

Tottenham have overseen a large turnover of players this season, with Kieran Trippier, Kevin Wimmer and Toby Alderweireld joining the club, while Paulinho, Etienne Capoue and Younes Kaboul have left White Hart Lane.

Read More

Aston Villa sign France Under-21 defender Jordan Amavi from Nice

Aston Villa have reached an agreement to sign the left-back Jordan Amavi from Nice, the Ligue 1 club have announced.

The 21-year-old, who has represented France at Under-21 level, finalised his deal with the Barclays Premier League side on Saturday.

Nice said in a statement on their official website: “An agreement was reached on Saturday for the transfer of Jordan Amavi to Aston Villa.

“Jordan Amavi has not participated in the trip to Belgium on Friday to compete in the second friendly match of Aiglons. While his team-mates were on the road to Waregem, the young left-back (21) took the direction of England.

“And an agreement was made on Saturday afternoon with Aston Villa for the transfer.”

Nice did not confirm the length of Amavi’s contract nor the fee.

Read More

Sunderland sign Tottenham’s Younès Kaboul for undisclosed fee

The Tottenham defender Younès Kaboul has completed his move to Sunderlandafter signing a four-year deal. The 29-year-old has joined the club for an undisclosed fee after travelling to Wearside for a medical on Thursday.

Kaboul said: “I’m delighted to be a Sunderland player and it’s an honour to join this club. I would like to thank [the sporting director] Lee Congerton and the head coach [Dick Advocaat] for making this move possible, and I can’t wait to start playing for the Sunderland supporters.”

Kaboul is Advocaat’s fourth summer signing, following in the footsteps of Sebastián Coates, Adam Matthews and Jeremain Lens.

Advocaat said: “He is a very experienced player, which is what we need. He has shown that in his time at Spurs and he will be a very good addition to our squad.”

Kaboul’s capture completed a good 24 fours for Congerton, who has been busy all summer trying to land Advocaat’s targets.

The sporting director said: “In Younès we have signed an established Premier League player with pace and power at the back, which are qualities required in the modern game.”

The Frenchman was first linked with Sunderland in 2008 when they offered £23m to Spurs for Kaboul, Pascal Chimbonda, Teemu Tainio and Steed Malbranque, but he was the only member of the quartet to reject the opportunity.

The defender Santiago Vergini has left Sunderland on a season-long loan deal to Getafe.

A statement said: “Sunderland AFC defender Santiago Vergini has joined Spanish La Liga side Getafe CF on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent transfer.

“The 26-year-old Argentine arrived on an initial loan deal in 2014, going on to make 51 appearances in 18 months on Wearside.”

Read More

Real Madrid agree Casilla deal with Espanyol

The Blancos have secured their replacement for Iker Casillas, potentially spelling the end of their interest in Manchester United's David de Gea

Real Madrid have agreed a deal to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Kiko Casilla on a five-year contract, both clubs have confirmed.

The Spain international - a Blancos youth product - left the Santiago Bernabeu side in 2008, but the departure of Iker Casillas to Porto triggered a pursuit from his former club to bring him back this summer as a replacement.

Following Espanyol's announcement that a deal had been reached with Madrid, the Blancos revealed the length of Casilla's contract based on the assumption no fitness problems are found in his upcoming medical.

"Real Madrid and Espanyol have agreed to the transfer of Kiko Casilla, subject to a necessary medical examination," Madrid stated. "The player will be tied to the club for the next five seasons.

At a press conference on Friday, Casilla paid tribute to Casillas' 25 years on Madrid's books but believes he can now seize the opportunity to become Rafa Benitez's No.1.

"The opportunity to sign for Real Madrid comes only once and I was determined to take it," he told reporters. "Iker's time at Madrid is at an end and I wish him the best, but now it's my turn. I think he's the best Madrid goalkeeper ever, though.

"Espanyol gave me the opportunity to become a professional player and I am grateful to the club for letting me leave. They'll remain a close club to me and I hope to come back someday in the future."

The undisclosed offer from Madrid could spell the end of their efforts to sign Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea, with Costa Rica star Keylor Navas providing competition to Casilla in 2015-16.

Casilla's contract would have allowed him to join Rafa Benitez's squad for €10 million, but it is widely believed that the Barcelona-based club have parted ways with the 28-year-old for a fee nearer €6m after rejecting a €4m offer earlier in July.

Casilla had featured 126 times for Espanyol in his seven years at the Estadi Cornella El Prat.

Read More

Arsenal's Sanogo joins Ajax on loan

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger says that the young French striker "needs to play" as he heads to the Eredivisie to spend the full 2015-16 season with Frank de Boer's side

Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo has joined Ajax on a season-long loan deal.

The France Under-21s international spent the second half of last season on loan at Crystal Palace but will now spend the entire 2015-16 campaign at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Sanogo has struggled for opportunities since moving to the Emirates Stadium in 2013 and is likely to fall further down the pecking order, with Arsene Wenger admitting that Chuba Akpom will be given first-team opportunities this season.
"He needs to play," Wenger told the club's official website of Sanogo's exit.

"He came to us injured and it took us a while to get him to the top level. He's ready to play now and I'm sure he can be a good signing for Ajax.

"He has an opportunity to play in the Champions League with Ajax, which is good experience. We have a good relationship with them and hopefully he can have a great season."

Sanogo will be battling it out with Poland international Arek Milik for the No.9 position at Ajax.

Read More

Delph completes Manchester City move

The England international midfielder signs a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium, having made a second U-turn on his leaving Aston Villa through his £8 million release clause

Manchester City have completed the signing of Aston Villa midfielder Fabian Delph less than a week after he vowed to stay at Villa Park this summer.

The Villa captain made a second U-turn on his future earlier on Friday after receiving reassurance that his England place would not be jeopardised by a squad role at the Etihad Stadium.

Delph has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with City after undergoing a medical on Friday, which is understood to earn him £100,000 per week.
"Fabian Delph is an excellent player and I am looking forward to working with him," his new manager, Manuel Pellegrini, told City's official website.

"He has made a huge impact in recent seasons at Aston Villa and is now one of the brightest young midfielders in the Premier League.
"Fabian has tremendous skill and energy and the fact that he has become a regular member of the England squad is further evidence of his progress over the past few seasons. At just 25 years old, he still has his best years ahead of him."

Read More

Atletico Madrid sign Jackson Martinez

The Spanish side have confirmed that the Colombia international will join on a four year deal from Porto after they paid his €35 million release clause

Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Jackson Martinez from Porto.

The Portuguese side had already confirmed that the player would depart to join Diego Simeone's team, but it has now been confirmed that he will sign a four-year contract in the Spanish capital.

After selling Mario Mandzukic to Juventus, Atletico have paid the €35 million release clause to bring the 28-year-old to the Spanish capital.

The Colombia international enjoyed three bright seasons at the Portuguese side, scoring 32 goals in 42 games in all competitions last season.

"We are very pleased with the agreement, because Jackson Martinez is an extraordinary striker, able to rapidly solve any attacking play inside the box," sporting director Jose Luis Caminero said.

"Thanks to his size, he heads very well and interchangeably uses either foot to shoot. I am sure that he will greatly increase the potential of our team and will bring plenty to the group.

"We are delighted with his signing because he is a football player used to compete at a top level in Porto and has shone brightly in important competitions such as the Champions League."

Martinez is the latest addition to Simeone's team, following Luciano Vietto and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco in joining the Vicente Calderon outfit.

Read More

Stoke sign Barcelona youngster Moha El Ouriachi

Mark Hughes confirmed interest in the 19-year-old, who rejected a new Camp Nou contract, in April and now makes the forward his seventh summer signing

Stoke City have completed the signing of teenage forward Moha El Ouriachi from Barcelona.

The 19-year-old, who has represented Spain at youth level and is also eligable for Morroco, moves to the Britannia Stadium after opting to reject a new contract from the Spanish and European champions.

Moha, who did not make a first-team appearance at Camp Nou, has followed in the footsteps of Bojan Krkic and Marc Muniesa, who both joined Stoke from Barca after initial contact was made earlier this year.

"He's excited about joining a Premier League club, especially one that already has two former Barcelona players in their squad," chief executive Tony Scholes told Stoke's official website.

"Moha has seen the progress made by Bojan and Marc and wants to try and do likewise."

Stoke have been busy bolstering their squad during the close-season with the likes of Glen Johnson, Joselu and Marco van Ginkel all moving to the Premier League club.

Moha could feature for Stoke in their Asia Trophy pre-season fixture against Everton later on Wednesday.

Read More

Watford set to sign £3.5m Holland winger Steven Berghuis from AZ

Watford are set to continue their squad strengthening for their return to the Premier League with the purchase of the Holland winger Steven Berghuis from AZ Alkmaar.

The 23-year-old, who has graduated through junior levels into the senior Holland set-up and had been heavily linked with PSV Eindhoven, can play on either flank or as a No10, and scored 11 times for AZ last season.

Berghuis had trials with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur as a youngster before making his breakthrough at FC Twente, though he has thrived most consistently at Alkmaar. He is likely to cost around £3.5m and will join Etienne Capoue – a club record signing at around £5.7m – Giedrius Arlauskis, Sebastian Prödl, José Holebas, Valon Behrami, Matej Vydra and Allan Nyom as new arrivals at Vicarage Road.

Nyom, a Cameroon international right-back, signed a four-year deal at the club on Tuesday having joined from Udinese and will now link up with Quique Flores’s squad on their pre-season training camp in Germany.

Read More

Sunderland’s £5m deal to sign defender Nicolas Lombaerts collapses

Sunderland’s £5m deal to sign the Zenit St Petersburg defender Nicolas Lombaerts has collapsed – but the player has denied that he failed a medical.

The 30-year-old Belgium international was a target for Dick Advocaat and rumours that he had failed a medical began to circulate on Tuesday evening. Lombaerts, who suffered a serious knee injury in 2008 but has played more than 200 times for Zenit since then, is understood to have had a medical on Monday.

Lombaerts told the Belgian publication Sporza, in comments reported by the Belgian journalist Kristof Terreur: “I took the decision myself. I didn’t want to join Sunderland. The story about a failed medical is untrue.”

Lombaerts was further quoted by the Belgian Twitter handle @Sportifun as saying that he wanted to stay at Zenit, where the club fight for trophies every season.

There was more positive news for Advocaat on the Dynamo Kiev midfielder Jeremain Lens, who is expected on Wearside for a medical after the two clubs agreed a fee in the region of £8m.

The 27-year-old, who worked under his compatriot at both AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven, watched his current club’s 2-0 Ukrainian Super Cup defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk in Odessa from the stands on Tuesday before setting off for England.

Sunderland are hopeful of concluding a deal within days to allow the player to meet up with the rest of the squad in America, where they lost 1-0 to Sacramento Republic during the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Read More

Sunderland sign Lens from Dynamo Kyiv

The 27-year-old, who can play up front or on either flank, has signed a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light to reunite with former PSV boss Dick Advocaat

Sunderland have completed the signing of Jeremain Lens from Dynamo Kyiv.

Last month revealed that the Black Cats were in talks to sign Lens, and on Tuesday confirmed that he was on the way to England to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms.

And now the 27-year-old, who can play up front or on either flank, has signed a four-year contract at the Stadium of Light.

“We have signed an international player and I am delighted to welcome him to Sunderland,” Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat told the club's official website.

“He is a very well-known player in Europe and has played over 30 games for the Dutch national side, which shows his calibre.

“I have worked with him twice already, at PSV and AZ, so I know him well; he is fast and he has scored goals everywhere he has played so that will help the team.”

Read More

Southampton sign Clasie from Feyenoord

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract at St Mary's Stadium and is expected to fill the midfield void left by Morgan Schneiderlin's departure to Manchester United

Southampton have completed the signing of Jordy Clasie from Feyenoord.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract with Ronald Koeman's side after a fee reported to be in the region of £8.4 million was agreed with the Dutch giants.

Clasie is widely expected to fill the midfield void left by the departure of Morgan Schneiderlin, who joined Manchester United in a £25m deal on Monday.

“It feels good to be joining Southampton,” Clasie told the club's official website. “It’s a nice club and I’m happy to be here.

“It’s a big club playing in what I think is the biggest and most important league.

“Ronald being here is a big thing for me and that was important in me coming here, but even if he wasn’t here, I’d have come to this club.

“I played every game for him. He’s a good trainer and a good man so I like him, but I came here not only for him. I came here for the club.

“I’ve watched many games of Southampton, and it’s felt good when I’ve watched these games.

“I hope that I have many good moments and good years here.”

Read More

Schneiderlin joins Manchester United

The one-time Arsenal and Tottenham target becomes Louis van Gaal's third summer arrival in as many days after the club met Southampton's £25 million asking price

Manchester United have confirmed the signing Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton, with the midfielder signing a four-year deal.

A fee was agreed over the weekend, with the Frenchman undergoing a medical at Carrington on Sunday, and Schneiderlin now becomes Louis van Gaal's fourth summer signing after Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweisteigher and Matteo Darmian.

Saturday's agreement to sign Schweisteiger raised doubts over United's long-standing interest in Schneiderlin, that Van Gaal had targeted the midfielder, but the Red Devils did eventually meet Saints' £25 million asking price.
Schneiderlin will now be included in United's squad for the upcoming pre-season tour of the United States.

The deal taking the France international to Old Trafford includes the option to a further year added to his contract, and he has revealed his delight at sealing a move to the Red Devils.

"Once I learned United were interested in me, it was a very easy decision to make," Schneiderlin told the club's official website.
Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin will battle with the likes of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata as United look to improve on their fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season.

Schneiderlin played a key role in the Saints qualifying for the Europa League last term as he scored four goals from midfield in his 26 league appearances.

Southampton are reportedly keen to replace the outgoing midfielder with Jordy Clasie after Feyenoord revealed he would not be playing any pre-season matches due to "concrete interest" from another club.

Read More

Manchester City sign Sterling for £49m

After two previous bids were rejected, the winger finally leaves Liverpool for the Etihad Stadium to become the most expensive English footballer of all time

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Raheem Sterling from Liverpool for a deal worth up to £49 million.

The news brings to an end a long-running and highly public transfer saga, with the England international even threatening to go on strike before twice calling in sick to training in a bid to force a move away from the club, having told Brendan Rodgers of his desire to leave.

Sterling was included in the club's pre-season tour squad, despite informing his manager that he did not wish to travel, but his move to City edged closer on Sunday after he was withdrawn from selection.

City twice attempted to buy Sterling earlier this summer, but saw both of their overtures snubbed before a third and final offer, totalling £44m up front plus a further £5m in add-ons, was accepted at the weekend.

Liverpool subsequently issued a statement, wishing Sterling well, while Manuel Pellegrini has hailed the acquisition of the forward. 

“Raheem Sterling is one of the best attacking players in world football, and I am very much looking forward to him joining our squad out in Australia later this week," he told the club's website. 

“He is a young player with outstanding ability, and I am sure the Manchester City fans will be very excited about seeing him in action for the team."

Sterling's agent, Aidy Ward, claimed earlier this week that there had been a "breakdown in trust" between Sterling and Rodgers, suggesting that his client no longer wanted to play under the Reds manager.

However, the 20-year-old now has his move and becomes City's record signing, eclipsing the £38.1m deal that saw Sergio Aguero join the club in 2011, and the most expensive English footballer of all time.

QPR are also due a windfall, with Sterling's former club retaining 20 per cent sell-on fee thanks to a clause in the forward's contract when he moved to Anfield for an initial £400,000 in 2010 now totalling around £9m.

Read More

Jenkinson rejoins West Ham on loan

The Arsenal right-back has sealed a return to the Hammers and has also penned a new contract at the Emirates, with the right-back set to spend the season at Upton Park

Carl Jenkinson has signed a new long-term deal with Arsenal and rejoined West Ham on a season-long loan.

The right-back, who spent the 2014-15 season at Upton Park and made 36 appearances in all competitions, is understood to have penned a five-year deal with the Gunners, prior to returning to east London. 

Goal revealed in June that the Hammers were negotiating with the Gunners in a bid to secure Jenkinson's signature, along with Sunderland, and they have now confirmed his arrival, with Jenkinson expressing his delight at his move. 

"I'm really happy to be back after last year," he told West Ham's official website. "It was a good season for the club and a good season for myself.

"To be honest I just wanted to come back here and I'm happy everything's been sorted out. I've got another season here and I can't wait.

"I'm a young player and I haven't had too many experiences of different clubs, but I loved every minute of it here. Everything about it is fantastic - it's a real family club, the lads are great and the fans are great, so it ticks all the boxes you want when you join a football club.

"I've got to come in, show what I can do and prove myself to a new manager. That keeps you on your toes and I've got to go and do that in pre-season. I'm looking forward to it.”

Read More

Chelsea confirm £8m signing of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic from Stoke

Chelsea have completed the £8m purchase of Asmir Begovic from Stoke City with the Bosnia international replacing Petr Cech as Thibaut Courtois’ understudy at Stamford Bridge.

Begovic, capped 41 times, has signed a four-year contract with the Premier League champions and will travel with the first-team to Montreal on Wednesday as José Mourinho’s squad begin their preparations for the defence of their trophy. The 28-year-old joins Radamel Falcao as the second senior addition to the ranks, with two more significant arrivals still anticipated before the start of the new campaign.

“I am very happy to be joining Chelsea,” said Begovic, who had spent five years at Stoke following a £3.25m move from Portsmouth and made 172 appearances for the club. “After speaking at length to the manager, I feel like I can develop here and be an important part of this team. I am looking forward to meeting up with the team on Wednesday for the pre-season tour.” The goalkeeper will take the No1 jersey vacated by Cech when he joined Arsenal earlier this month and will expect first-team involvement at some stage next season, despite Courtois’ status as first-choice.

Begovic started his career in England with Portsmouth in 2003 as a teenager and qualifies as homegrown in terms of the Premier League and association-trained for the Champions League.

Stoke, who have signed the veteran Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given on a two-year deal and secured Glen Johnson on a free transfer on Sunday following his release by Liverpool, have also taken Marco van Ginkel on a season-long loan from Chelsea in a deal considered separate to Begovic’s move.

Read More

Stephan El Shaarawy close to £11m transfer from Milan to Monaco

The Italy international Stephan El Shaarawy is close to completing a transfer from Milan to Monaco.

The 22-year-old forward, who is due to have a medical with the French club on Monday, told Italy’s Sky Sports that: “I had to make a decision in 24 hours. But I think I made the right choice for my career.”

The Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Monaco will pay Milan a €16m (£11m) transfer fee and that El Shaarawy, who has an Egyptian father, will sign a five-year deal worth €3m a season.

In 2012-13, El Shaarawy was Serie A’s top scorer at the season’s midpoint with 14 goals but then struggled in the second half of the campaign after Mario Balotelli’s arrival. He was slowed by injuries in the past two seasons.

Read More

Newcastle United sign Georginio Wijnaldum on five-year deal from PSV

Georginio Wijnaldum has become the third most expensive signing in Newcastle United’s history after completing his move from PSV Eindhoven.

The 24-year-old Holland international signed for a fee understood to be in the region of €20m, about £14.4m, after agreeing a five-year deal.

The midfielder said: “I’m delighted to be a Newcastle United player. I felt the time was right for me to move and the club have shown they really want me, so I’m very happy to be here.”

Only Michael Owen and Alan Shearer have cost Newcastle more and the signing represents a statement of intent from the owner, Mike Ashley, who has been criticised in recent years for his concentration on potential rather than proven quality.

Wijnaldum, who becomes the fifth Dutch player on the books at St James’ Park, along with Tim Krul, Daryl Janmaat, Vurnon Anita and Siem de Jong, said: “There are a few players here who are from Holland. I know them well and they will help me feel at home in Newcastle. I know the club has a great stadium with great fans. I want to play here as soon as possible. I want to feel the atmosphere and hear the crowd. I cannot wait to get started.”

News of Wijnaldum’s arrival will come as a boost for the head coach, Steve McClaren, who insisted on Thursday that he was not frustrated by the apparent lack of action in the transfer market and remained excited at the prospect of acquiring the players the club is targeting this summer.

McClaren said: “This signing is a real statement for the club. It is a big transfer for a very good player and I am delighted to have Gini here at the club.

Advertisement

“He has lots of energy and a great tempo to his game. He is very skilful but is also capable of playing box to box and, importantly, he can score goals. He is at the right age and the right fit for Newcastle. He is a leader as well and you will see that. He is someone who always wants the ball, can deal with it and we need that kind of character in the team.”

The breakthrough will have come as a relief to the managing director, Lee Charnley, the man responsible for carrying out negotiations and investing the money Ashley has now promised to spend in greater proportions than in the recent past.

Wijnaldum, a Rotterdam-born player who came through the ranks at Feyenoord, made 130 appearances for PSV and scored 47 goals during his four seasons at the Philips Stadion. Forty of those appearances and 16 of the goals came as captain last season as the club cruised to the Eredivisie title, finishing 17 points ahead of their closest rivals, Ajax.

He has 19 senior caps and represented his country at the World Cup finals in Brazil in 2014.

McClaren will hope Wijnaldum is the first of a series of arrivals as Newcastle attempt to strengthen a squad who struggled to retain their Premier League status last season.

The Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is a serious target, efforts to sign QPR’s Charlie Austin have so far come to nothing and the Wolfsburg frontman Bas Dost has also been in their sights for some time.

McClaren and his players, who opened their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 win at Gateshead on Friday evening, are due to fly out to the US on Sunday before fixtures against Club Atlas, Sacramento Republic and the Portland Timbers.

Read More