France midfielder Nzonzi seals Roma transfer
France international Steven Nzonzi, a World Cup winner in Russia, completed his switch to Roma from Sevilla on Tuesday after signing a four-year deal with the Italian side.
The 29-year-old midfielder was greeted by dozens of Roma supporters as he arrived at the airport in the Italian capital, before the club posted images of the player having a medical.
Roma paid an initial fee of 26.65 million euros (30 million euros) for Nzonzi, who featured in five of France's seven games at the World Cup, including an appearance off the bench in the 4-2 win over Croatia in the final.
Welcome to #ASRoma, Steven Nzonzi! ?
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) August 14, 2018
Details ➡️ https://t.co/f38YdoAZ6N pic.twitter.com/iMUb7SuHYK
"I feel very happy to be here, and to be a new Roma player," Nzonzi told the club's official website.
"I really felt that the club wanted me to come. I will give my best on the pitch, and hopefully be a very good player for this team.
"I always want to improve – regardless of age, the most important thing is to give your best and work hard. I want to do that, to become a better player and help the team with my play and experience."
Nzonzi joined Sevilla from English club Stoke in 2015, and was part of the team that beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Europa League final in 2016.
"Steven is a footballer with a mix of physical and technical qualities that we think will really add to the players that we already have here," said Roma sporting director Monchi, who left a similar role at Sevilla for Italy last year.
"With his arrival, we have even more quality and competition in midfield."
Roma, who finished third in Serie A last season and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, begin the new campaign away to Torino on Sunday.
Mata offered return to Valencia
Juan Mata could make a shock return to Valencia from Manchester United, The Sun claims.
EXCLUSIVE: Man United star Juan Mata could be set for emotional return to old club Valencia | @Journo_Slash https://t.co/YdCypSFfNV pic.twitter.com/tzCjCozcer
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) August 15, 2018
The Spain international is in the final year of his contract with the Premier League side and is in talks over a new one.
However, Valencia want to bring him back to his homeland and will offer him a return if he lets his deal run out and leaves for free.
Man Utd target Maguire to sign contract extension
Harry Maguire is expected to sign a new contract with Leicester City, ending Manchester United's hopes of buying him in January, according to The Daily Mail.
The England international was one of several centre-backs Jose Mourinho's men were linked to in the last transfer window but no move materialised.
Maguire has four years to go on his current contract, but the Foxes hope to persuade him to stay after the recent interest.
Schalke bid €15m for Barca defender
Schalke have entered the battle to sign Marlon from Barcelona, Sport claims.
The 22-year-old defender is already the subject of a €12 million offer from Serie A side Sassuolo, but the German club are willing to go as high as €15m to land him.
Chelsea youngster Aina joins Torino
Chelsea have confirmed that young defender Ola Aina will spend the 2018-19 campaign with Serie A side Torino.
The 21-year-old has also penned a new contract at Stamford Bridge and seemingly features in manager Maurizio Sarri's future plans.
Spurs' Eriksen asking price delays Modric move
Luka Modric's move to Inter could depend on whether or not Tottenham are willing to sell Christian Eriksen to Real Madrid, Gianluca Di Marzio reports.
The midfielder is pushing the Spanish club to let him join Inter, but they will not sanction a move without a replacement ready.
Christian Eriksen is being linked with a £100m move in today's papers ? https://t.co/nneJh73rAR pic.twitter.com/T7fzDyNi9S
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 14, 2018
The European champions want Eriksen to step into Modric's spot in midfield, but Tottenham are demanding around £180 million.
Sagna: Drogba swayed MLS move
Former Arsenal and Manchester City star Bacary Sagna says that long-time rival Didier Drogba helped him decide to join up with the Montreal Impact in Major League Soccer.
Former Impact man Drogba played for Chelsea while Sagna was with Arsenal, with full-back and striker having gone head-to-head on many occasions, with the Frenchman calling the Ivorian "a big brother."
Premier League clubs could move deadline day back
After just one year of ending the transfer window before the start of the regular season Premier League clubs could vote to move it back to the end of August, according to the Mirror.
At least two clubs who voted for the change now view it as a mistake, while leading agents believe it has put the English top flight at a disadvantage to the other European teams who can still swoop for Premier League players and leave clubs with no way to land replacements.
Zidane eyes Man United job
French boss wants to replace Mourinho
After leaving Real Madrid at the end of last season, Zinedine Zidane has his eyes on a job in England, according to L'Equipe.
The Frenchmanager had his eye on coaching his country, but with Didier Deschamps having won the World Cup, Zidane has now turned his attention to Manchester United, where he would like to take over for Jose Mourinho.
Zinedine Zidane wants to return to management with Manchester United, according to @lequipe | https://t.co/JRpx9vAyDq pic.twitter.com/ykVKwlvBCM
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 15, 2018
Sarri ready to loan out Drinkwater
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has decided he will let Danny Drinkwater leave the club on loan, reports the Express.
The midfielder has seen his prospects for minutes diminished by the arrivals of Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic.
Drinkwater will be unable to move within the Premier League with the transfer window shut, so Chelsea will loan out the 28-year-old to a foreign club should they receive a fee up front.
Barca told to pay €50m for Rabiot
The Blaugrana are looking for one final piece to their midfield puzzle
Paris Saint-Germain have told Barcelona they must pay €50 million (£45m/$57m) to land Adrien Rabiot, claims Don Balon.
Barca manager Ernesto Valverde wants to add one more midfielder to his squad, and the 23-year-old has emerged as a top candidate.
With Rabiot's deal expiring next summer, PSG may be forced to sell should the France international not sign a new contract.
Godin reveals he rejected Man United
Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin has confirmed he turned down the chance to move to Manchester United this summer.
The 32-year-old said "personal reasons" kept him with Atletico, where he has established himself as one of the world's top defenders.
Diego Godin reveals reasons why he rejected Manchester United move to stay at Atletico Madridhttps://t.co/KUJTwJkSe2 pic.twitter.com/nNyCyDpR5j
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) August 15, 2018
Emery told to cut Arsenal wage bill
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been told he must trim the club's wage bill before the end of August, according to the Mirror.
After spending £70 million ($89m) on new signings this summer, the Gunners are feeling the pressure to recoup some of those costs.
Mohamed Elneny could be set to join Marseille, with David Ospina and Carl Jenkinson also likely to leave this month.
Grujic to make loan move abroad
Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic is likely to make a loan move abroad after rejecting offers from Cardiff City and Middlesbrough, reports the Evening Standard.
The 22-year-old helped Cardiff achieve promotion in a loan spell last term, but has rejected the chance to join the now-Premier League side this season.
Liverpool still rate Grujic highly, and want the Serbian to sign a contract extension before he is loaned out again.
Source: BBC, AFP, Reuters, Goal.com
