Striker Olivier Giroud is likely to stay at Arsenal, his agent Michael Manuello has said, playing down speculation linking the Frenchman with a move to Napoli.
Uncertainty surrounding the 29-year-old’s future intensified after British media suggested that he had been included in a deal to bring Napoli’s Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain to London.
Manuello suggested that any incoming striker would be a replacement for the injured Danny Welbeck, not for Giroud.
“Everything I’ve read on Giroud is not true,” Manuello said.
“You always need two strikers and Welbeck is out for nine months. But if you play in a great team, it is natural that we could face strong competition.”
Ba not retiring after leg break
Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba is not considering retirement after suffering a career-threatening leg break while playing for Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League.
The 31-year-old collapsed in the second half of his side’s derby victory over Shanghai SIPG but the Senegalese hopes to be back in time for next season.
“This is a really bad injury but I can overcome it. I won’t call time on my career, that’s for sure,” Ba said.
“The season here ends in November and the new one starts in March. I’ll do my best to return in time for the season after that.”
Myhill extends his contract at WBA
West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Boaz Myhill has extended his contract until 2018.
The 33-year-old made 23 lea-gue starts last season and re-placed Ben Foster, who spent much of the campaign on the sidelines with a knee injury, as first-choice keeper.
Myhill joined the club in 2010 from Hull City.
West Brom, who finished 14th in the league last season, open their 2016-17 campaign at Crystal Palace on August 13.
Young Barcelona pair sign new deals
Spaniards Munir El Haddadi and Sergi Samper have signed new three-year contracts with La Liga champions Barcelona.
The 20-year-old forward Munir completed his second season with the first team in 2015-16, scoring eight goals in 26 games in all competitions.
A statement from Barcelona read: “FC Barcelona and Munir El Haddadi have reached an agreement to renew the player’s contract for the next three seasons, until June 30, 2019.
“His buyout clause has been set at €60 million.”
Samper, the 21-year-old Bar-celona-born midfielder, has been promoted to the first team and his buyout clause has now been set at €50 million.
Sevilla complete Vazquez deal
Sevilla have completed the signing of Franco Vazquez from Palermo on a five-year contract, the Europa League champions announced.
The 27-year-old attacking midfielder has put pen to paper on a deal that ties him to the club until June 2021.
Palermo did not give any financial details regarding the transfer fee but the Spanish media have estimated that Sevilla paid €12 million.
Vazquez arrived at Palermo in January 2012 and played 73 Serie A games for the Sicilian club in the last two seasons, scoring 18 goals and setting up 17 more.
Sakho not going without replacement
Diafra Sakho will not be sold until West Ham United find re-placements for the striker, the Premier League side’s co-chairman David Sullivan has said.
The 26-year-old Senegalese scored five times in 21 league appearances after missing much of last season and, according to British media, handed a transfer request to leave the club.
West Ham have already signed wingers Sofiane Feghouli and Gokhan Tore and defender Havard Nordtveit, but sold James Tomkins to Crystal Palace.
“He is not for sale until we get players in,” Sullivan said.
“Until we bring strikers in, we simply cannot let strikers go. James Tomkins was different because we had a surplus in the centre-half department.”
Leroy Sane wants to leave Schalke 04
Schalke 04 attacking midfielder Leroy Sane wants to leave the Bundesliga club, sporting director Christian Heidel Winger has confirmed.
The 20-year-old has been linked with a move to English Premier League side Manchester City by British and German media.
Sane was part of Germany’s squad at Euro 2016. He scored eight league goals and grabbed six assists for Schalke last season as the club finished fifth in the standings.
“Leroy has made it clear, he would like to leave this summer. We will consent to a transfer if Schalke’s conditions are met,” Heidel told Sky Sports.