Everton have confirmed the signing of Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu.
The 21-year-old has signed a three-year-contract – with the option of a further year – in a deal worth £4.2 million.
Deulofeu impressed on loan at Goodison Park in the 2013-14 campaign but returned to his parent club and was subsequently loaned out again to Sevilla.
However, Toffees boss Roberto Martinez, who had a good relationship with Deulofeu, has kept tabs on the youngster and moved quickly to make him his first signing of the summer.
Ramos wants to leave Real – reports
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos wants to leave and has asked his club to listen to offers for him, according to the media.
Ramos, a reported target of Manchester United, has not been offered a contract extension to remain at Real beyond June 2017 when his current deal runs out.
Ramos had a meeting on Wednesday with Real general director Jose Angel Sanchez at the club’s training ground in Valdebebas. It was at that meeting that Ramos announced his wish to leave the club this summer.
Manchester United are willing to offer the Spaniard €12 million net per season.
Firmino deal is a winner – Hamann
Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes if the club do eventually sell Raheem Sterling to Manchester City in the wake of the capture of Roberto Firmino it will represent their best piece of business for a long time.
The Reds will pay about £22 million up front for the Brazil international with a further £7million due in add-ons, potentially making the 23-year-old the second most expensive signing in their history.
“I’ve not got a problem with the money Liverpool have paid for Firmino,” the German said.
“He’s one of the up and coming stars in Brazil and I think he’s worth it. Look at what other clubs are spending. To attract the best you have to pay big money.
“If Liverpool get £50 million for Sterling and invest half that money in Firmino the club will have made their best business in a long time.”
Wilkins handed Aston Villa role
Ray Wilkins is to join the coaching staff at Aston Villa after holding talks with manager Tim Sherwood.
The 58-year-old has revealed he is to link up with Sherwood at Villa Park as the club attempts to move on from last season’s fight for Premier League survival.
Wilkins said: “I was talking to Tim Sherwood – I have been for the last couple of weeks – about going on board and joining the coaching staff and assisting.
“Tim has just now confirmed that I will be going on board.”
Southgate won’t quit England U-21s
Gareth Southgate will not quit as England U-21 head coach despite the “huge disappointment” of their early exit from the European Championship.
Southgate’s men capitulated against Italy and fell to an embarrassing 3-1 defeat in Olomouc. It led to the Under-21s’ third straight group-stage exit on this stage, understandably raising questions about Southgate’s selections and his position as head coach.
“I’m contracted to stay on, I’d like to stay on,” Southgate said.
“In the end, it’s not my decision. But I think what we’ve done over two years has progressed the profile of the team, the style in which we’ve played.”
Marseille’s Payet to join Hammers
Marseille have grudgingly accepted an offer from West Ham for forward Dimitri Payet.
Payet, who has played 15 times for France, was expected to arrive at Upton Park last night to undergo a medical and is set to become new manager Slaven Bilic’s first major signing since succeeding Sam Allardyce at West Ham.
Marseille issued a lengthy statement saying it is “absolutely not their intention” to sell Payet but that they were forced to accept the bid after a dispute with the player and his agent over a new contract.
The French club also claimed that West Ham have offered Payet a “golden bridge” - a six-year contract worth £21.3 million – to play in the Premier League.
Di Maria staying at Manchester United
Angel Di Maria insists he does not want to leave Manchester United but admits he is at a loss as to why he has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford.
The Argentinian joined the Red Devils for a British-record £59.7 million in the summer but, after a promising start to his career in England, injury and a loss of form saw him finish the season on the bench.
That has prompted some talk of a move away, with reports in Spain suggesting Barcelona are set to make a move for the forward.
But Di Maria has stressed he will stay and fight for his place.
“I started well with goals and assists,” he said.
“I was having a good time, until I was outside (of the first team).
“It’s a little hard to explain why I do not play.”