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TOTTENHAM TO SIGN SERIE A DEFENDER OF THE YEAR CRISTIAN ROMERO FOR 55M

Tottenham Hotspur are expected to confirm the €55 million ($65m) signing of Atalanta defender Cristian Romero within the next 48 hours, sources have revealed.

The 23-year-old underwent the final part of his medical on Thursday and assuming no complications, he is then expected to fly to London to finalise the paperwork.

Spurs have agreed a deal believed to worth €50m with €5m in add-ons in a transfer that will rank as the second most expensive in the club’s history after Tanguy Ndombele’s €60m ($71m) arrival from Lyon in July 2019.

It would also be the third signing of new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure after goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini arrived on loan also from Atalanta and Bryan Gil joined the club from Sevilla in a move which saw Erik Lamela travel in the opposite direction.

Spurs’ pursuit of Romero is believed to have been influenced by the club’s managing director of football, Fabio Paratici. The centre-back was named Serie A’s Defender of the Year last year during a campaign in which he made 42 appearances across all competitions as Atalanta finished third and lost the Coppa Italia final to Juventus.

Romero joined Atalanta on a two-year loan from Juventus at the start of the 2020-21 season with the option to make the deal permanent for €16m ($19m), payable in three instalments.

Spurs were keen on signing a centre-back throughout last season and with former boss Jose Mourinho identifying Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar as his preferred target. However, the clubs could not agree a fee and the arrivals of Nuno and Paratici have seen Tottenham shift their focus elsewhere.

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MAN UNITED’S AXEL TUANZEBE SET TO JOIN ASTON VILLA ON SEASON-LONG LOAN DEAL

Axel Tuanzebe is reportedly set to cut short his Manchester United nightmare and secure a season-long loan move to Aston Villa in the coming days.

According to a reliable source, Villa have struck an agreement with United over the 23-year-old’s temporary move to the Midlands.

Tuanzebe has less than a year remaining on his current contract at Old Trafford and is expected to extend it for another year before sealing a move to Villa Park.

United will exercise the extension clause before letting the talented defender join the Lions for the third time.

Indeed, Tuanzebe first linked up with Villa on a six-month loan in January 2018, spending the second part of the season in Birmingham.

Despite his sporadic appearances, Dean Smith decided to give the youngster another shot next term, which turned out to be a massive hit.

Tuanzebe played a significant part in Villa’s promotion-winning 2018/19 Championship campaign, helping the side return to the top-flight after a three-year hiatus.

However, the centre-back’s sparkling displays for the Claret & Blue Army ensured the his return to United, where he failed to hold down a regular starting berth.

Often tormented by physical setbacks, Tuanzebe spent most of his career under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer playing second fiddle to the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

With the arrival of Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, his chances of breaking into Solskjaer’s starting XI have suffered another devastating blow.

So a departure was the only reasonable solution for the young prospect, who needs regular playing time to fulfil his potential.

Yet, Tuanzebe will have to fight Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings for the place in Smith’s starting line-up.

Despite Villa’s disappointing defensive record last season, the pair’s game time was never compromised due to a lack of reliable back-up options.

With Tuanzebe likely to become the club’s fourth signing this summer, Smith will have another solid defender to increase competition at the back.

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MANCHESTER CITY CLOSING IN ON £100M DEAL FOR JACK GREALISH – REPORTS

Manchester City are closing in on a British record £100 million (€117 million) deal for Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish, according to reports.

The Premier League champions have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old all summer and reportedly made their offer last Friday.

Neither club have commented but there are widespread claims that negotiations have progressed and a deal could be concluded in the coming days.

The current British record fee is the £89 million paid by Manchester United for Paul Pogba in 2016.

Grealish, who has four years remaining on his Villa contract, has become one of the hottest properties in the English game.

He scored six goals in the Premier League last season and also provided 10 assists. He made four appearances for England during their run to the final of Euro 2020.

He is one of two players at the centre of considerable transfer speculation involving City this summer, with the other being Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane.

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ASTON VILLA COMPLETE SIGNING OF LEON BAILEY FROM BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Jamaica forward Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of around £30million (€35 million).

Bailey, who celebrates his 24th birthday next week, has passed his medical and agreed personal terms on a deal running to 2025.

Villa boss Dean Smith is looking forward to working with his new recruit.

“Leon is a hugely exciting young striker with great pace and creativity,” Smith told the club’s website.

“He has enjoyed a successful career at Leverkusen and we are now looking forward to watching him show his skills and talents for Aston Villa in the Premier League.”

The announcement comes amid speculation over the future of Villa captain Jack Grealish, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.

Bailey, who had reportedly caught the eye of a number of top English clubs last season, scored 39 goals in three and a half campaigns for Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, as well as featuring in the Champions League and Europa League

And the 10-cap international is now relishing the challenge of showing what he can do in the Premier League.

“For me, it’s a great club with a big history and it’s the right step for me. I’m excited to get started,” he said on the club’s website.

“It’s always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to play. I feel like now is the right time and I’m excited about it.

“Hopefully I can do what I do best and have a great season in the Premier League.”

He continued: “I like to give assists and I like to score, that’s always been me. I like to score and be the one who gives the pass in a decisive moment and not be selfish.

“I’m not always thinking about scoring, I’m more so thinking about the team. Whichever situation we’re in, I try to adapt to it and better the team.

“I’m a flair type of person, I like to entertain the fans, do my tricks, use my speed and make life difficult for defenders.”

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CRYSTAL PALACE NEARS PERIERA CAPTURE

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - MARCH 04: Matheus Pereira of West Bromwich Albion during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Everton at The Hawthorns on March 4, 2021 in West Bromwich, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Crystal Palace could edge closer towards another exciting addition this summer after receiving a boost in their pursuit of West Bromwich Albion midfielder Matheus Pereira.

The highly-rated Brazilian has been linked with a move to the Eagles in recent weeks along with several other Premier League sides following a string of impressive performances last season.

However, persistent speculation over Pereira’s immediate future led to new West Brom manager Valerien Ismael questioning his commitment over the weekend (as reported by the Leicester Mercury).

“He was clear he wants to leave. He is not committed to the Championship and not committed to us. I said I accept this decision, but I have to take my decision, and now we need to solve the situation, ” Ismael said.

The former Barnsley boss’s bold claims didn’t go down well with Pereira, though, who responded with a passionate statement of his own.

“I remained silent and was not going to address anything until after the transfer window out of respect for the fans and my teammates, however after being called ‘not committed’ I felt extremely disrespected as a professional, I’ve been living off football since I was 12 years old, I chose to give up family time and ordinary fun to chase after a dream of a better future for myself and those around me…

“I want to leave, I want to seek new experiences, but want to do this in a fair and correct manner. I will be forever grateful to WBA, to its fans and to every single professional who works at the club and who welcomed me with open arms,” the statement read.

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CRYSTAL PALACE SIGN DEFENDER JOACHIM ANDERSON FROM LYON FOR AN UNDISCLOSED FEE

Crystal Palace have announced the signing of defender Joachim Andersen from Lyon for an undisclosed fee.

The Denmark international spent last season on loan with Fulham in the Premier League and will continue to ply his trade in England after he agreed a five-year deal at Selhurst Park.

Andersen is new boss Patrick Vieira’s fourth signing of the summer, following in the footsteps of Michael Olise, Remi Matthews and Marc Guehi.

He told the official club website: “I’m extremely proud to be joining Crystal Palace and to be playing in the world’s best football league.

“The management of the club and Patrick Vieira have given me very strong assurance that they know my qualities, they believe in me and want me to play an important role in the team.

“I have a very positive impression of Patrick from the conversations I have had with him and I have heard nothing but great things about the manager, the club and its plans for the future.”

With centre-backs Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho and Scott Dann released at the end of last season, the heart of defence was an area which needed to be bolstered and Andersen fits the bill for the style of play being implemented by Vieira.

Roy Hodgson’s successor is eager for Palace to pass out from the back, with possession-based football a key part of his tactics, and the ex-Fulham loanee gained admirers for his quality on the ball during the previous campaign.

Meanwhile, left-back Patrick Van Aanholt has completed a move to Galatasaray on a free transfer, signing a deal until the summer of 2024.

He wrote on Twitter: “Palace has been a proper home to me, you’ll forever be a part of my life. To the boys, good luck for the up and coming season. Big change, big opportunity, big rewards. Make it count.”

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DORTMUND SIGNS MALEN FROM PSV TO REPLACE SANCHO

Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of Netherlands forward Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven on a five-year contract, it was announced on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old arrives following the departure of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United for €85 million.

“Borussia Dortmund is a top European club that is always at the top of the Bundesliga and also has high demands on itself in the Champions League,” Malen said.

“I can hardly wait to be on the pitch with my new teammates, to be able to measure myself against the best. And of course I’m looking forward to the fans and the stadium that all of Europe raves about.”

Malen, who played for Ajax and Arsenal at youth level, moved to PSV in 2017 and played for Jong PSV in the second tier. He won Player of the Year in his first season. He made four first-team appearances for the side which won the Eredivisie title in 2017-18.

The following campaign, he was promoted to the senior side and scored 10 league goals. In 2020-21, he finished the season with 27 in all competitions — his best-ever single season tally.

Malen has 13 Netherlands caps and was part of the Euro 2020 squad, starting two matches, including the surprise round of 16 defeat to Czech Republic.

“Donyell is a player with great offensive potential, who exudes goal danger, brings his creativity to the table and has a high speed,” BVB director Michael Zorc added.

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TOBY ALDERWEREILD LEAVES TOTTENHAM FOR QATARI GIANTS AL DUHAIL

Toby Alderweireld has left Tottenham after six seasons with the Premier League outfit to join Qatari giants Al Duhail.

The move was confirmed by all parties on Tuesday, with Alderweireld stating it had been “an honour” to play for the North London outfit.

The Belgium international has won 113 caps for his national team and was part of the side that finished third at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

In his six seasons with Spurs, Alderweireld made 243 appearances and was largely a mainstay in the heart of defence.

Now 32, Alderweireld has put pen to paper to a three-year deal with Al Duhail and will be a like-for-like replacement for Medhi Benatia, the former Bayern Munich and Juventus centre-back who spent the last two seasons in Qatar.

Al Duhail manager Sabri Lamouchi appears to be looking to rejuvenate his squad after a disappointing campaign, which saw them finish 13 points behind champions Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League title race, while they also suffered an embarrassing group-stage exit in the AFC Champions League back in April.

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SPURS SIGN SPAIN YOUNGSTER BRYAN GIL FROM SEVILLA AS LAMELA JOINS SPANISH SIDE IN SWAP DEAL

Tottenham have signed winger Bryan Gil from Sevilla on a five-year contract, the club announced on Monday.

The transfer also sees Erik Lamela leave the north London club to join Sevilla on a three-year deal.

Gil enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Eibar last season and is on international duty with Spain at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 20-year-old has also enjoyed success in his short career, helping the Spain Under-19 side win the 2019 European Championship.

Gil’s arrival means that Lamela ends his eight-year spell at the Premier League club after making 257 appearances and scoring 37 goals.

The Argentina international will remembered for his outstanding rabona strikes against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League (2014) and against bitter rivals Arsenal last season.

Foillowing the announcement of the deal, Spurs tweeted: “A player who gave everything for the badge. Thank you, @ErikLamela.”

Gil becomes Nuno Espirito Santo’s second signing of the summer after the club agreed a loan deal for goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Atalanta.

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WESTHAM AGREE DEAL TO SIGN FORMER RANGERS KEEPER

West Ham have reportedly agreed a deal to sign former Rangers keeper Brian Kinnear after his release by the Light Blues earlier this summer.

The Scotland youth international was one of a number of Rangers Academy prospects released at the end of the season – and is set to join several of them by making a move to a Premier League side.

Dapo Mebude and Nathan Young-Coombes have joined Man City and Watford, respectively, while Ciaran Dickson and Harris O’Connor are both on trial at Burnley.

According to the Daily Record, Kinnear will be unveiled imminently by the Hammers as the young keeper gets a chance to get his career back on track following his Rangers release.

Kinnear was one of five players suspended by Rangers earlier this year for breaching Covid rules, spending the final months of his Ibrox career out on loan at Annan Athletic.
His move to the Hammers comes after he had previously been linked with a move to Birmingham City, spending time on trial with the Blues before heading to London.

A similar trial spell with David Moyes’ side appears to have impressed enough to win him a contract and a move to the Premier League.

Kinnear is likely to initially join West Ham’s under-23 squad as he looks to establish himself in England before trying to push for a place in the senior squad.