In one of the most surprising moves so far this summer, CHELSEA have agreed to sign Premier League journeyman Robert Green on a free transfer. The 38-year-old goalkeeper, notorious for his shocking error for England against the USA in the 2010 World Cup, hasn’t played a competitive football match for over a year, yet Sky Sports confirm that he was having a medical today, with a formal announcement due soon. Although Chelsea’s current number one, Thibaut Courtois, is likely to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, it is unlikely that Green has been signed to start for the Premier League giants, but more likely fulfil the criteria of homegrown players each club must have their squads.
FULHAM have just announced the signing of German forward Andre Schürrle on loan for the next two seasons. The 2014 World Cup winner joins from Borussia Dortmund and will wear the number 14 shirt for the Whites. Schürrle has an impressive international record, bagging 22 goals in 57 caps for Germany, and will be looking to improve on his inconsistent performances that he produced the last time he played in England. Under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, he struggled to hold onto a starting spot before he was eventually shipped on to Wolfsburg. Fulham fans will be hoping he can replicate his form from the 2014 World Cup for the Whites.
BRIGHTON have confirmed the signing of Alireza Jahanbakhsh for a club-record fee of £17 million. The Iranian winger joins from Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar where he was top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie last season, notching 21 goals in 33 appearances. The Seagulls have signed eight new players this transfer window already, with Chris Hughton looking to build a squad that doesn’t just escape relegation, but one that is looking up the table rather than down.
LIVERPOOL are in for Besiktas defender Domagoj Vida, according to the player’s agent. Vida was one of the stars of Croatia’s run all the way to the final of this year’s World Cup, and the player’s agent, Ugur Avadan, has revealed that both Liverpool and Everton have made offers to Besiktas. In an interview with Radyospor published by the Daily Express, Avadan said: “Liverpool and Everton are huge clubs that have made offers”. However, this story is rubbished by the Liverpool Echo, who state that no such interest in the player exists, with Jürgen Klopp said to be content with the club’s transfer business, and instead is looking to off-load some of the dead wood from the squad in the latter stages of the transfer window.
Sky Sources in Spain say that EVERTON have increased their efforts to complete a double signing from Barcelona. Lucas Digne and Yerry Mina are the players in Everton’s sights, with defensive reinforcements now the priority for Marco Silva after the club yesterday confirmed the signing of Richarlison for a fee upwards of £40 million. Yerry Mina enjoyed an excellent World Cup for Colombia, despite having barely featured for Barcelona after joining the Spanish giants in January. Sky Sports have also indicated that big-spending Wolves have an interest in signing the centre-back.
NEWCASTLE are closing in on the signing of Swiss international defender Fabian Schar from Deportivo La Coruna. The Magpies have activated his £3 million release clause as Rafa Benitez looks to add to his defensive line. The centre-back would be Newcastle’s fourth signing of the window, but Geordies will be hoping that Schar will not be the last arrival at St James’ Park this summer.
Crystal Palace are eyeing up West Ham’s Cheikhou Kouyate according to Sky Sources. The Hammers are happy to sell the defensive midfielder and value the player at £10 million. Michail Antonio is another player that Manuel Pellegrini would be happy to sell. The forward has impressed Pellegrini in pre-season, but it appears that his injury record may count against him as the new manager looks to overhaul a lot of the squad that performed disappointingly last season.
