Manchester City’s out-of-favour goalkeeper Joe Hart is keen to join Serie A club Torino on a season-long loan deal, media reports said yesterday.
England’s first-choice keeper has been left out of City’s opening three Premier League matches of the season and new manager Pep Guardiola has said that Hart can leave if he wants.
Guardiola is determined to start moves at the back with a goalkeeper who is “able to play with the ball”.
City and Torino are discussing Hart’s possible loan move, according to media reports.
Benteke urges Zaha to stay at Palace
Having sold Yannick Bolasie to Everton in the close season, Crystal Palace would be loathe to see another quality wide man leave the club to a Premier League rival and striker Christian Benteke has called on Wilfried Zaha to stay at the club.
Zaha was a second-half substitute in Palace’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at the weekend after the club rejected a bid from Tottenham for the 23-year-old.
“I came to Palace because of the way that they play,” said Benteke. “Everyone knows Wilf’s ability on the ball and he helped us a lot when he came on.
“Of course we’d like him to stay. I’ve tried to convince him to stay, but that’s football.”
Diamanti, Henrique move to Palermo
Palermo have made a double swoop for former West Ham midfielder Alessandro Diamanti and Brazilian forward Bruno Henrique.
The Sicilian side have taken just one point from their two opening Serie A fixtures, prompting manager Davide Ballardini to strengthen his squad.
Former Italy international Diamanti, who spent time on loan at Watford last season, arrives on a free transfer after leaving Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande.
The 33-year-old has penned a two-year deal with an option for a further season.
Henrique has signed a four-year contract after joining from German side Wolfsburg.
Ex-Dodgers owner acquires Marseille
Frank McCourt, the former owner of US baseball team LA Dodgers, said he had agreed to buy French Ligue 1 club Olympique Marseille (OM), vowing to restore the team to its former glory.
OM’s biggest shareholder, billionaire businesswoman Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, announced in April that she was selling her stake in the club, which finished 13th in the league and lost to PSG in the French Cup final.
“I’m very excited about making Marseille a champion again,” McCourt said.
RMC Sport reported that the club had been sold for €40 million.
Striker Rossi loaned out to Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo have completed the signing of former Manchester United forward Giuseppe Rossi on a season-long loan deal from Fiorentina, with the option of a further year.
The 29-year-old, who previously played in La Liga for Villarreal and spent the second half of last season on loan at Levante, arrives at Balaidos to boost a side who have lost their opening two league games.
Italian Rossi made only 34 Serie A appearances during a three-and-a-half year spell in Florence, scoring 16 goals.
Rossi told Celta’s official Twitter account: “I am very excited about wearing the shirt of Celta.”
Fabregas denies Conte fall-out
Cesc Fabregas has denied claims he has fallen out with new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and has been told by the Italian he can leave the club.
Fabregas has not started any of Chelsea’s opening three Premier League games this season, making just one substitute appearance, as former Italy coach Conte has begun life in England with three straight wins.
But the Spain midfielder insisted he remained committed to the club.
The 29-year-old said on Twitter: “Contrary to what has been written, the manager and I have a good relationship and he has NEVER told me that I can leave.
“He said that he counts on me, as I count on him. I will continue to fight for this club until the very end.”
Southampton sign Boufal for record fee
Southampton have signed attacking midfielder Sofiane Boufal from Ligue 1 side Lille on a five-year contract for a club record fee.
The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in 34 appearances for Lille last season, helping them reach the French League Cup final and finish fifth in the Ligue 1 table.
Financial details of the transfer were undisclosed but British media reported that Southampton paid £21 million ($27.5 million) to land the Moroccan international.