Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Hakan Calhanoglu from Bundesliga rivals Hamburg, with the midfielder putting pen to paper on a five-year contract yesterday.
The deal will go through once the 20-year-old player successfully completes a medical, bringing an end to a contentious transfer which the player tried to push through.
Calhanoglu had been written off sick for four weeks after receiving insults for revealing he wanted to leave Hamburg and join Lever-kusen several weeks ago.
His wish has now been granted, with both clubs able to reach an agreement on an undisclosed fee for the Turkey international.
Valencia appoint Nuno as coach
Valencia have appointed Portuguese former Deportivo La Coruna and Porto goalkeeper Nuno as coach to take over from Juan Antonio Pizzi, who was sacked on Wednesday after just over half a season in charge.
Nuno, 40, ended his playing career in 2010.
As a coach he helped modest Rio Ave reach the finals of the Portuguese Cup and League Cup last season, where they were beaten each time by Benfica.
Milan almost sold Balotelli – Berlusconi
Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has revealed he came close to selling striker Mario Balotelli to an unnamed Premier League club prior to the start of the World Cup.
Balotelli has been strongly linked with a return to England this summer, with Arsenal reportedly keen to acquire his services for around €35 million.
The former Manchester City striker scored just one goal in three appearances in Brazil as Italy suffered early elimination from the tournament.
“Other than Italy, I lost during the World Cup,” Berlusconi said.
“I was about to sell Balotelli to an English team for several millions. But after this World Cup who will buy him anymore?”
WHam get Cresswell
West Ham have signed defender Aaron Cresswell from Ipswich on a five-year contract.
The 24-year-old left-back joins the Hammers as manager Sam Allardyce looks to further boost his defensive options, with a move for Norwich’s Martin Olsson now believed to be dead in the water.
Cresswell impressed in recent years at Portman Road, missing just four league games over the course of the last two seasons for the Championship club.
Having started his career at Tranmere, Cresswell moved to Ipswich in 2011 and after completing his move to West Ham he will experience Premier League football for the first time in his career.
Vucinic claims Al Jazira transfer
Montenegro striker Mirko Vucinic claims he has left Juventus to sign for United Arab Emirates club Al Jazira Sports.
The 30-year-old’s influence at the Juventus Stadium waned last season as Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente forged a successful partnership and it appears he has now opted to leave Turin for Abu Dhabi.
Taking to his official Twitter account, Vucinic tweeted: “I’ve just signed for Al Jazira!”
The former Lecce and Roma striker, who scored 26 goals in 94 appearances for Juve, was linked with a move to Premier League club Arsenal in January.
At Al Jazira he will work under Belgian coach Eric Gerets.
Death of referee ruled a homicide
The death of a referee who was punched by a player during a game over the weekend in a Detroit suburb was ruled a homicide yesterday, a step that could lead to more severe charges against the man accused of hitting him.
John Bieniewicz, 44, a long time referee licensed for games at all levels, died on Tuesday from blunt force trauma to the neck.
The autopsy was conducted on Thursday and Bieniewicz’s death ruled a homicide.
The player accused of striking the referee, Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad, 36, was charged on Monday with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder by Wayne County prosecutors and his bond was set at $500,000.
Fan Fest closed after fly-over tragedy
World Cup organisers closed the Fan Fest in Belo Horizonte yesterday out of respect for those killed and injured when a fly-over collapsed.
Two people died and 19 were injured when the overpass, which was under construction, collapsed onto another road trapping a number of vehicles.
City officials have stressed that there will be no threat to the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday taking place.
An investigation has been launched involving the city government and the companies involved in the construction.
The incident happened about 2.5 miles from the Estadio Mineirao which is hosting the semi-final.