Defender Dani Alves has confirmed that he has left Serie A champions Juventus after one season in Italy, with Manchester City the most likely destination for the Brazilian, according to media reports.
The 34-year-old joined Juventus on a two-year contract from Barcelona last June and made 33 appearances as the club sealed the domestic double for the third successive year but fell to Spain’s Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
“I would like to thank all the Juventus fans for the year I’ve had, to my team-mates who welcomed me like the professionals they are, for a club that wins and reaches finals...” Alves wrote on Instagram.
“Today our professional relationship ends and I will carry with me all of those who with love and a true heart make Juve a great club.”
Banega heads back to Sevilla
Argentina midfielder Ever Banega is set to return to Sevilla after the Spanish club agreed a fee with Inter.
The 28-year-old left Sevilla for the San Siro a year ago, but made only 20 starts in Serie A as the Italian side endured a difficult campaign.
The two clubs have now agreed a deal for the former Valencia player to return to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on a three-year deal, subject to a successful medical.
A Sevilla statement said: “Sevilla FC and Inter have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ever Banega, providing that the player passes a medical and signs his contract upon arriving in Seville.”
Striker Gomis to join Galatasaray
Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis has headed to Turkey to complete his move to Galatasaray.
Gomis posted a picture of himself on Instagram on an Istanbul-bound plane yesterday, while also showing his flight tickets from Lyon to the Turkish city.
Galatasaray announced on their Twitter account on Tuesday night that official talks had began with Swansea to sign Gomis.
Swansea expect to receive around £2.5million for the 31-year-old, who joined them on a free transfer from Lyon in 2014.
Hamburg sign Papadopoulos
Hamburg, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, have signed on-loan Greece international Kyriakos Papadopoulos on a permanent three-year deal from Bayer Leverkusen, the Bundesliga club said yesterday.
The powerful 25-year-old central defender, who joined Hamburg on loan midway through last season, scored twice in 15 league games as he helped them avoid a relegation playoff on the last matchday.
“Everyone saw how much of a push Papa gave the entire team in the second half of the season,” said Hamburg sports director Jens Todt.
“He motivated the other players with his winning mentality and passion.”
Cathcart pens new Watford deal
Watford defender Craig Cathcart has signed a new four-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 2021, the Premier League club said yesterday.
The 28-year-old has made 84 appearance for the club since joining from Blackpool in 2014.
Cathcart struggled with a hernia injury and featured in only 15 league games last season but new Watford manager Marco Silva, who replaced Walter Mazzarri last month, opted to tie down the long-term future of one of his most experience players.
Keita sees himself at Man. City
Liverpool target Naby Keita has ambitions of playing for “one of the very big clubs” but appears to have a preference for Manchester City over Jurgen Klopp’s side when it comes to the Premier League.
The highly-rated Guinea midfielder, whom RB Leipzig value at £70million, name-checked City alongside Barcelona and Real Madrid when discussing where he wants to be in a couple of years’ time.
“I hope, however, that I have the level in two, three years and could play for one of the very big clubs,” he added.
“This includes Barcelona, but it also includes Real Madrid or Manchester City.”