Mainz have made their third signing of the summer by securing Serbia international Filip Djuricic on a season-long loan from Benfica.
The 22-year-old forward has joined from last season’s beaten Europa League finalists to a side hoping to emulate them in the same competition this season.
Mainz last week signed Gonzalo Jara and Stefanos Kapino with new coach Kasper Hjulmand slowly piecing together the squad he believes can be competitive this season.
Djuricic will fill the void left by the sale of Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting to Schalke.
Ecuador hand reins to Reinaldo Vizuete
Ecuador have sacked World Cup coach Reinaldo Rueda following the team’s failure to progress beyond the group stage in Brazil.
“Professor Reinaldo Rueda will go no further with the national football team,” Ecuadorean Football Federation (FEF) president Luis Chiriboga said.
Colombian Rueda, who had also been to the 2010 World Cup finals with Honduras, is being replaced by Ecuadorean Sixto Vizuete on a short contract until January 2015.
Ecuador will play friendlies against Colombia, the United States, Brazil and either Chile or Bolivia later in the year, the FEF said on its website.
Sassuolo sign full-back Vrsaljko
Sassuolo have signed Croatia full-back Sime Vrsaljko from Genoa for a reported seven million euro fee.
The 22-year-old is a natural right-back but filled in for injured left-back Danijel Pranjic during Croatia’s World Cup campaign in Brazil and has previously played in midfield.
Sassuolo have already added Federico Peluso from Juventus, striker Antonio Floro Flores and midfielder Davide Biondini to their ranks as they look to consolidate their position in Serie A having narrowly secured survival at the end of their maiden top-flight campaign.
Inter closing in on Gary Medel deal
Inter have made significant progress in their efforts to sign Cardiff City defender Gary Medel.
The Serie A club have made no secret of their interest in the Chile international who represented his country at the World Cup.
Sky Sport Italia reported that Inter and Cardiff are not far from reaching an agreement after officials of the two clubs met on Tuesday. Cardiff are reportedly asking for €8.5 million for Medel, while Inter have offered €7.5m.
Medel is expected to join Inter on a permanent basis but the transfer fee will be paid in three installments.
Rodriguez: Falcao would suit Real
James Rodriguez believes his Colombia team-mate Radamel Falcao would be a huge success if he decided to follow him to Real Madrid.
Rodriguez on Tuesday signed a six-year contract with European champions Real Madrid after Monaco accepted a re-ported €80m transfer fee.
Although Falcao has not openly confessed to wanting a switch to Real, Rodriguez feels he would be a “great” addition to Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Rodriguez said: “He has not said anything to me and it’s not really for me to talk about, but Falcao is a great goalscorer and could play here.
“It is up to the club.”
Rodgers keen on Manquillo
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is interested in striking a deal to bring young Atletico Madrid defender Javier Manquillo to Anfield.
The 20-year-old has played just six league matches in the last two seasons for the Primera Division champions as understudy to Spain international Juanfran.
Press Association Sport reported that Rodgers is interested in taking the right-back on loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Manquillo, who has also interested Arsenal, would provide competition for England international Glen Johnson, who is in the final year of his contract but has reached an impasse with the Reds over a new deal.
Veteran Samuel makes Basle move
Former Inter, Roma and Real Madrid defender Walter Samuel has signed a one-year contract with Basle.
The 36-year-old Argentinian was a free agent after leaving Inter at the end of last season and, after rejecting an offer from Serie A club Sampdoria, he has opted to join the reigning Swiss champions.
Samuel, who made 172 league appearances over his nine years with Inter, said: “I am very happy and looking forward to the new challenge and adventure offered by Basle.”
The new Swiss Super League season is already under way, with Basle clinching a 2-1 victory in Saturday’s opening-day trip to Aarau.