Argentine striker Franco Di Santo has made use of a buy-out clause in his contract with Werder Bremen to leave the north German club.
Werder did not say which club Di Santo was set to join but German media reports said Europa League competitors Schalke had won over the talented player.
Werder officials had confirmed last week they were holding talks with Schalke for Di Santo.
The powerful 26-year-old former Chelsea forward, who has scored 17 goals in 49 Bundesliga matches, had joined Werder Bremen from England’s Wigan Athletic in 2013.
Aberdeen don’t want seagulls
Aberdeen hope to stop scenes reminiscent of the Alfred Hitchcock classic ‘The Birds’ at their Pittodrie Stadium where seagulls have been scaring players and supporters.
The birds, flocking in from the nearby North Sea, have forced the club into drastic action, including hiring a specialist “eradication” firm, using a hawk to guard the stadium and using audible repellants.
Aberdeen said in a statement they had “taken care” of nests and eggs three times a week to keep the birds controlled.
Co-incidentally Aberdeen’s next fixture is Jamie Langfield’s testimonial match against Brighton, who are nicknamed the Seagulls, today.
Destro again linked with Bundesliga move
Mattia Destro will be joining Bayer Leverkusen this summer according to media reports in Germany.
Yesterday, Kicker said that the two clubs are on good terms after the Tin Jedvaj transfer and are close to working out a similar loan deal for Destro.
This is not the first time that Destro has been linked with a move to Germany following similar interest from Wolfsburg and Schalke earlier this month.
However, Destro turned down all offers as he wants to remain in Serie A with Fiorentina his most likely destination if Roma accept to let him go.
West Brom break off takeover talks
West Bromwich Albion have broken off talks with a potential buyer, the Premier League club said.
The Midlands club have reportedly been in negotiations with a Chinese consortium, but owner Jeremy Peace said the period of exclusivity entered into earlier this month had ended.
“I entered into an exclusivity arrangement in good faith after agreeing terms for the sale but it is now clear to me that this potential purchaser is unable to fulfil the terms of that agreement at this time,” Peace said in a statement yesterday.
Peace said other parties had shown interest in the club.
Kevin Kuranyi back in Germany
Kevin Kuranyi has sealed a return to the Bundesliga after five years playing in Russia by joining Hoffenheim on a one-year contract.
The 33-year-old was a free agent after being released by Dynamo Moscow this summer and he had recently spoken of his desire to return to Germany.
Augsburg had signalled an interest, but it is Hoffenheim, who on Friday sold Sven Schipplock to Hamburg, who have taken the former Germany international under contract.
“After five years in Russia, I’m really motivated to prove myself once again in the Bundesliga,” said the former Stuttgart and Schalke hitman.
Five Roma players denied entry
Indonesian football fans were thrilled to see Italian side Roma touch down in Jakarta on Friday as part of their pre-season tour. Indonesian immigration officials? Not so much.
After arriving in Jakarta for the first time in club history ahead of their “AS Roma Indonesia Day 2015” programme, officials informed the Serie A side that five players would not be able to enter the country.
Seydou Doumbia, Gervinho, Victor Ibarbo, Adem Ljajic and Antonio Sanabria were denied entry and instead of joining their team-mates for the weekend events at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, they were put on planes bound for Rome.
The team did not specify why the players were not allowed to enter the country.
Gunners want Juve striker Llorente
Arsenal are leading the race to sign Juventus striker Fernando Llorente.
Italian newspapers said the Gunners are already engaged in talks with their counterparts from Turin over the transfer of the Spaniard as Manchester United and Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on the situation.
Llorente, 30, is a free agent after joining the Italian champions two years ago from Athletic Bilbao. Juve are asking 12 million euros to let their player go.
This summer Juventus have already sealed the transfers of Mario Mandzukic, Simone Zaza and Paulo Dybala in attack, making it more difficult for Llorente to find his place in the team next season.