Galatasaray’s Turkish international winger Arda Turan has reached a deal to sign for Spanish club Atletico Madrid, the Istanbul club said.
“An agreement has been reached for the transfer of Arda Turan to Atletico Madrid,” the club said in a statement on its website.
“The important thing was Arda’s preference... he wants to live this experience,” Anatolia news agency quoted Ali Durust, the senior official of Galatasaray club, as saying.
The 24-year-old Turan will sign a four-year deal with the Spanish club. Galatasaray will receive €12 million plus a one million bonus for their captain’s transfer, the Istanbul club said.
Sneijder, United had ‘unofficial talks’
Wesley Sneijder has confirmed his interest in a move to Manchester United but insisted that there have only been “unofficial talks” with the club so far.
In an interview with Dutch website nos.nl, Sneijder was asked if he was in negotiations with the Old Trafford club.
“Yes, but Manchester United haven’t made an official approach yet. There have been unofficial talks, there have been contacts, but then there are always contacts. I have contacts with everybody,” Sneijder replied.
“The situation is that I am now an Inter player, and chances are that I will still be that come August 31. There is also a chance I could leave.”
Keep the faith, Saha urges fans
Striker Louis Saha has urged Everton fans to trust the club after another quiet summer in the transfer market.
Only young defender Eric Dier, a loan signing from Sporting Lisbon, has arrived at Goodison Park, with James Vaughan and Iain Turner leaving the club.
“It’s not the right way to start a season but I’m here to kick the ball and make sure we’re winning games,” Saha said.
“I understand their concern but they have to be confident in the team and the squad.
“They should know the chairman and the board and the manager are trying hard. They’re desperate to do something but if they’re not doing something it’s because they’ve got big reasons for that.”
Keane braced for Spurs’ exit
Robbie Keane accepts he is “probably” entering his final days as a Tottenham player.
The Ireland captain has fallen behind several others, including Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe, in Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp’s plans.
“It’s probably likely that I will be going but I can’t really answer where to at the moment,” Keane said.
“There’s obviously a lot of speculation but there’s still a couple of weeks to go and we’ll see what happens.
“I haven’t turned down anything. I think there’s a few people talking to the clubs but that’s all I can really say at the moment.”
Milito delighted at Gasperini reunion
Inter forward Diego Milito says he is delighted with the club’s choice of new coach. Speaking to the club’s official TV channel, he sang the praises of Gian Piero Gasperini, who was also his coach at Genoa.
“I know Gasperini very well, I had a great year with him at Genoa where we achieved Europa League qualification,” said Milito.
“Obviously I’m happy for him that he’s now Inter coach, he really deserved to take over at a big club.
“My team-mates and I will do our utmost to achieve important objectives with him. He’s an excellent coach, he’s well prepared and everyone can see that.”
Oly. Volos expelled from Europa League
Olympiakos Volos were expelled from the Europa League yesterday in spite of a Greek federation decision to allow them back into the top-flight Super League.
The federation overturned last month’s decision to relegate Olympiakos Volos and Kavala for their role in a match-fixing scandal and have allowed the two clubs to stay in the top division.
The appeals committee, how-ever, decided instead to punish the two clubs by deducting points before the start of the season. Volos, who have Malta forward Andre Schembri in the team, will start the season with minus ten points and Kavala with minus eight points.
The decision to deduct points, however, means an automatic expulsion for Volos from the Europa League play-offs. The Greek club were due to face Paris SG next week in the final play-off round before the group stage.
West Brom sign Irish striker Long
Ireland striker Shane Long became Premier League side West Brom’s sixth signing of the summer on Tuesday night when he joined from Championship outfit Reading.
The 24-year-old, scorer of six goals in 21 international appearances, signed a three-year contract bringing to an end a successful six-year spell at Reading which included a two-year stay in the Premier League.
West Bromwich manager Roy Hodgson said that despite his relative youth, Long had enough experience already to go straight into the first team.
“He is a goalscorer and a hard-working player who has a very good attitude to the game,” said Hodgson.