Sunderland have signed Spanish defender Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan, the Premier League club said yesterday.
The 22-year-old full-back spent last season on loan at Marseille, where he made 31 Ligue 1 appearances, and he played 10 English top-flight games during his loan spell with Liverpool in 2014-15.
“Sunderland AFC have completed a deal to sign Atletico Madrid full-back Javier Manquillo,” the club said in a statement on their website.
Chelsea’s bid for Romagnoli rejected
Milan have rejected a “significant offer” for Alessio Romagnoli from English Premier League Chelsea, the Italian club said yesterday.
Milan did not release financial details of the offer but British media reported that it was £34 million.
“AC Milan has received a significant offer for its player Alessio Romagnoli from Chelsea FC,” the club said in a statement on their website.
“The player is not for sale, therefore this negotiation will not continue. The club wants to thank Chelsea FC with whom we will continue to have a great working relationship.”
Drinkwater pens new five-year deal
Midfielder Danny Drinkwater has signed a new five-year deal with Leicester City that will keep him at the club until 2021, the Premier League champions announced.
Drinkwater, who joined Leicester from Manchester United in 2012, was a mainstay in the club’s fairytale campaign last season, making 35 league appearances for Claudio Ranieri’s side.
“I’ve loved playing for this club, it’s been perfect for me and my career and I want to be here for a long time to come. I couldn’t be happier,” Drinkwater told the club’s website.
Klopp unconcerned by Sturridge remarks
Juergen Klopp has dismissed suggestions that Daniel Sturridge is frustrated with the role he’s being asked to play at Liverpool.
Sturridge featured on the right side last weekend as Liverpool were defeated 2-0 by Burnley in the Premier League, and was used in a similar capacity in the 5-0 victory over Burton Albion in the League Cup on Tuesday.
Speaking after that match, Sturridge indicated that he was finding it hard to play in a wide role rather than as a centre-forward.
“There is absolutely no problem,” Klopp told reporters. “I don’t want to play Daniel as a wide player but he can play there.
“Burnley and Burton weren’t games where I needed an offensive winger,” he added. “It wasn’t a fixed position for him.”
Keane prepares for Ireland swansong
Robbie Keane will bid an emotional farewell to the Republic of Ireland next week after announcing his retirement from international football.
The 36-year-old striker will make his 146th and final senior appearance for his country in the friendly against Oman at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday.
Keane, Ireland’s record international goalscorer with 67, said in a statement: “I had always hoped this day would never come and I will miss putting on the Ireland jersey and walking out to a sea of green.
“But I am looking forward to the game against Oman and putting on the jersey and singing the national anthem one last time in front of the home crowd at the Aviva.”
Bentaleb delighted to join Schalke 04
Nabil Bentaleb has joined Schalke 04 on a season-long loan from Tottenham, both clubs have confirmed.
The 21-year-old Algeria midfielder passed a medical in Gelsenkirchen on August 18 and the final paperwork for the move to be finalised was received yesterday.
“We’re pleased that Nabil Bentaleb has decided to join us,” Schalke’s director of sport Christian Heidel said on the Bundesliga club’s website.
“We’ve been working on this transfer for the past six weeks.”
Bentaleb confirmed his move with a tweet in which he said: “Delighted to have signed for @s04 new chapter new beginnings.”
Barca secure keeper Cillessen from Ajax
Barcelona have signed goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen from Ajax on a five-year contract in a deal worth €13 million, the La Liga champions said yesterday.
The 27-year-old, who made 31 league appearances last season to help Ajax finish second in the Dutch Eredivisie standings, will fight with keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for a starting place at Barcelona.
“FC Barcelona has decided to purchase 27-year-old Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen from Ajax Amsterdam on a five-year contract,” the Spanish club said in a statement on their website.