Liverpool are unlikely to face disciplinary proceedings from the Premier League after being accused by Southampton of making an illegal approach to sign their defensive lynchpin Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool ended their interest in the Dutch centre back and publicly apologised to Southampton earlier this month after British media reported that the south coast club had complained to the Premier League about their attempt to sign him.
Both the Times and the Daily Telegraph reported yesterday that the league had conducted a preliminary investigation into the dispute and concluded there was not enough evidence to launch formal disciplinary proceedings.
Calhanoglu agree terms with Milan
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has agreed personal terms on a potential move to Milan after completing his four-month FIFA ban, his agent has told Kicker.
Calhanoglu, 23, was given the ban in February for breach of contract after signing for Trabzonspor as a teenager but never joining the club.
The Turkey international, who waived his wages for the duration of the ban, could now be set to move on to Italy if Milan are able to agree a transfer fee.
“We held good talks with Milan,” agent Bektas Demirtas said.
“It’s now important that the clubs reach an agreement. Once they achieve an agreement, we can enter final talks with Milan.”
PSG goalkeeper Sirigu joins Torino
Torino have signed Italian international goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu from Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain, the Serie A club said yesterday.
Capped 17 times, Sirigu joined PSG from Palermo in 2011 and spent last season on loan to Spanish clubs Sevilla and relegated Osasuna.
The 30-year-old was first-choice goalkeeper in his first four seasons at PSG but in 2015/2016 he made only three league appearances after falling behind Kevin Trapp in the pecking order.
“The club (Torino) and the president made me feel important and I thank them for that,” said Sirigu on club website (torinofc.it). In Sinisa Mihajlovic’s first season at the helm, Torino finished ninth in Italy’s top division.
Lyon sign Chelsea forward Traore
Olympique Lyonnais have signed Chelsea’s Burkina Faso forward Bertrand Traore on a five-year contract for €10 million, the French club said in a statement.
The 21-year-old was on loan last season at Ajax Amsterdam, who finished runners-up in the Dutch top flight, scoring nine goals in 24 league games.
Ajax also reached the Europa League final where they lost to Manchester United having knocked Lyon out in the semi-finals when Traore scored twice. He joined Chelsea from Burkina Faso’s Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso in 2013 and went on loan to Vitesse Arnhem the following year.
Mendy ‘set on’ Bordeaux move
Leicester midfielder Nampalys Mendy could be set for a return to France with Bordeaux after reportedly saying he wants to join the Ligue 1 club.
The 25-year-old moved to then-Premier League champions Leicester from Nice last summer on a four-year contract, for a £13 million fee.
But his season was blighted by an ankle injury which limited him to just nine appearances in all competitions.
“I heard about the interest of Nantes but neither me nor my adviser have been contacted,” Mendy said. “Anyway, since my adviser talked to me about the possibility of joining Bordeaux, I’m set on it.”
Klinsmann denies Sunderland links
World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann has distanced himself from speculation that he could return to management at Sunderland.
The 52-year-old German, who has been out of football since being sacked by the US in November, had been linked with the vacancy at the Stadium of Light.
However, after attending a concert in Los Angeles, he dismissed the claims. In a post on his Facebook account, Klinsmann wrote: “...No truth on rumours coaching Sunderland FC in the near future.”