European transfer news: Chelsea sign Bakayoko, Galatasaray release Sneijder

Chelsea have completed the signing of midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco on a five-year contract, the Premier League champions said on Saturday. The 22-year-old has made nearly 100 appearances for Monaco over the past three seasons, scoring five goals, and becomes Chelsea manager Antonio Conte's third senior signing of the close season. Chelsea did not disclose what they had paid for the midfielder, but British media reported that the fee is likely to be in the region of 40 million pounds ($52 million). "I am very happy to be here and to join this great team," Bakayoko told the club's website. (www.chelseafc.com) "I have grown up watching Chelsea. Signing was the natural thing for me because it is a club I loved very much in my childhood. I am now looking forward to evolving under this fantastic coach and alongside so many great team mates."Chelsea have signed goalkeeper Willy Caballero from rivals Manchester City and also brought in centre-back Antonio Rudiger from Italian side AS Roma.We have not bid for Mbappe, says WengerArsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied that the club have made a bid for Monaco striker Kylian Mbappe, whom he believes will stay at the French club. Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the 18-year-old who has become one of Europe's most sought-after strikers. "We have not made any offer,' Wenger told reporters after Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Western Sydney Wanderers at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday."I think he will stay, it looks like that. One more season. Maybe he has too much choice. In the end, people don't move. "What we know now is that Mbappe is over 100 million (pounds) and after that it's free to imagine what you want," said Wenger. Wenger also said that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would stay despite interest from Chelsea and Liverpool. "Hundred percent I expect him to stay," he said. "No matter what happens he will stay."Nolito nears return to Spain as Sevilla move beckonsSpain international Nolito is nearing a return to his home country with Spanish media reporting the forward is on the verge of a 10 million euro ($11.45 million) switch from Manchester City to Sevilla after an unhappy Premier League campaign. Sevilla, who finished fourth place in La Liga last season, have intensified their pursuit of Nolito, 30, after selling influential forward Vitolo to Atletico Madrid for 36 million euros on Wednesday. The expected sale of Nolito represents a substantial financial loss for City, who signed him from Celta Vigo last summer for a reported 18 million euros. Nolito's move to Sevilla will see him reunited with Eduardo Berizzo, his former coach at Celta who oversaw his two best campaigns between 2014 and 2016, leading to his first call-up for Spain in 2014.The forward got off to a strong start at City, scoring twice in his second league appearance, a 4-1 win at Stoke City. However, he went on to make only nine league starts in total and none of those were in 2017. The Spaniard did not hide his desire to leave City when speaking to reporters in May. "I'm crazy to return to Spain, I'd like to leave Manchester City whether it's on loan or permanently, whichever way possible," he said. "Up until December I was playing and was happy, but after those four months I've hardly played. It's been a year to forget, an experience that hasn't turned out as I'd planned, but hopefully this summer we'll find a solution."Galatasaray exit saddens SneijderDutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder left Turkey on Saturday after four years with Galatasaray, expressing sadness that club manager Igor Tudor had not wanted him to stay. The Istanbul club said on Friday that it was "parting with Wesley Sneijder" and wished him success in the future.The news of his departure however sparked angry protests overnight in front of club headquarters, with fans calling for the resignation of club chairman Dursun Ozbek. Sneijder, 33, joined Galatasaray from Inter Milan whilst in his prime back in January 2013 and scored 46 goals in 175 appearances for the club. Filmed leaving for Amsterdam from Istanbul airport, Sneijder said he was disappointed he had not figured in the plans of the Croatian manager Tudor. "Of course I feel sad. Because if you have to leave like that it's not very nice," he told beIN Sports."The coach made his choices. And he made his choice not to work with me. And I have to respect that." There was no immediate indication where Sneijder would go next, although there have been suggestions he could play in the United States. Sneijder said he had no new club yet but "there will always be something new", adding: "I trust my qualities."

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