De Gea's Real Madrid move falls through

David De Gea's move to Real Madrid from Manchester United has fallen through. 

Reports suggested that Real and United initiated talks on Monday with the hope of striking a deal for the Spaniard, but it has now emerged that the required documents did not arrive at the headquarters of La Liga on time, thus scuppering the transfer.

De Gea, 24, has not featured for United since pre eason, missing all six Premier League and Champions League playoff games after Louis van Gaal became concerned that interest from Madrid had unsettled the Spanish goalkeeper.

United appeared set to sign Keylor Navas in part-exchange, in addition to a fee of around £29 million, but it appears that the Costa Rica international will not move to Old Trafford, with De Gea remaining in Manchester.

Inter confirm Ljajic and Felipe Melo signings

Inter have confirmed Roma attacking midfielder Adem Ljajic has signed for the club in the final few minutes of Serie A's deadline day.

It had been reported in Italy that the Serbia international, 23, was set to join the Nerazzurri on a season-long loan for €2 million with an option for his new club to purchase for an additional €9m in 2016.

And as the Italian transfer window was snapping shut for the summer, Inter announced Ljajic's arrival.

"Inter can officially announce the arrival of attacker Adem Ljajic from Roma on loan with the option to purchase in 2016," the club said in a statement on their website. "The player is welcomed by the whole club."

A few minutes later, Inter tweeted the transfer of Galatasaray midfielder Felipe Melo had also been completed, while the loan arrival of Alex Telles from the same club was also announced.

Ljajic has spent two seasons at the Stadio Olimpico side but failed to truly make his mark on Rudi Garcia's XI since his €11 million signing, while 32-year-old Felipe Melo has been playing in Istanbul since leaving Juventus in 2013.

The trio join Geoffrey Kondogbia, Ivan Perisic, Jeison Murillo, Miranda, Stevan Jovetic and Martin Montoya as major Inter arrivals this summer.

Inter have started their season with back-to-back wins in Serie A, leaving them third behind Chievo and Torino after two matches.

Official: Norwich sign Mbokani on season-long loan

Norwich City have signed Dieumerci Mbokani from Dynamo Kiev on loan until the end of the season, with the option to buy.

The former Anderlecht striker, who has won league titles for three different European clubs, scored 19 goals in 46 appearances after moving to Ukraine in June 2013.

Mbokani, 29, will join up with international teammate Youssouf Mulumbu at Carrow Road and head coach Alex Neil has expressed his delight at signing the striker.

"Dieumerci is going to give us competition at the top end of the pitch, and I think we've needed a bit of strengthening there," the 33-year-old manager told the club's official website.

"He's a big, strong number nine - he can take the ball in, he's mobile and he's a real threat in the box. We're hoping all of those things come together for him.

"He's got a good track record and he's played Champions League football, so I think it's an exciting signing for us."

Official: Hernanes signs for Juventus

Juventus have confirmed the signing of Hernanes from Serie A rivals Inter.

The 30-year-old emerged as a last-minute target for the Bianconeri, who watched their top creative midfield target Julian Draxler join Wolfsburg on Monday.

With Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal having been sold to New York City and Bayern Munich respectively this summer, the Scudetto holders were in dire need of a proven midfielder to bolster their squad ahead of the transfer window's closure.

Having completed a medical on Monday, Hernanes has put pen to paper on a three-year deal, with his new club paying €11 million for his services with up to €2m more in add ons.

Hernanes spent a season and a half as an Inter player having signed from Lazio for €18m in January 2014.

He will hope to help arrest a shock start to the season for the Bianconeri, who have lost back-to-back matches in Serie A to be placed 17th after two games.

Official: Liverpool sign Nigerian prospect Awoniyi

Big congrats to him, I wish him all the best. Liverpool have wrapped up a deal to sign promising Nigeria youth international Taiwo Awoniyi.

Awoniyi, 18, had been playing with Imperial Academy in his homeland and has been sent straight out on loan to German second-tier outfit FSV Frankfurt.

"This is the biggest club in the world and I'm privileged to be here," the striker told the club's official website. 

"I'll try to develop myself very well so that when I come back to Liverpool I'll be able to add value to the team.

"When I’m in the red shirt, I will always give my very best to make the fans happy."

Awoniyi currently represents Nigeria's under-23 side, who are looking to qualify for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Di Maria: I left because I clashed with Van Gaal

Angel Di Maria has revealed that problems fitting into Louis van Gaal's philosophy were behind him leaving Manchester United this summer.

The Argentine, 27, was signed with much fanfare last August, arriving at Old Trafford for a club record €75 million following a Champions League-winning season with Real Madrid.

However, Di Maria struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and ended up joining French champions Paris Saint-Germain for €63m earlier this month.

Following his impressive debut off the bench against Monaco – in which he assisted the third goal in the 3-0 with a fantastic through ball for Ezequiel Lavezzi from his own half – the versatile midfielder opened up about why he left United.

"Van Gaal has his philosophy and one of the reasons I wanted to go to Manchester United is because of that factor," he told ESPN Radio.

"However, it was difficult to adapt to Van Gaal's workings. I had a couple of run-ins with him.

"It started well for me but then I got injured. When I came back, Van Gaal changed my position. When I spoke to PSG coach Laurent Blanc he said he'd play me in the position I had for Real Madrid."

Di Maria also discussed the importance of Lionel Messi to the Argentina set-up.

The Barcelona forward has been publicly vilified in his home country, but his international team-mate thinks reaching a third consecutive major tournament final will be tough without Messi.

“The next Copa America is our main goal now,” he added. “People didn't see the state of our dressing room after losing this summer's final – we were destroyed.

“We do not want to lose another final. Messi is the most important player to our team, by a long way. Without him, it would be much more difficult.

“When things don't work out in football, of course you hurt. It's even more painful when a comrade is slaughtered by the press.”

The Copa America Centenario in 2016 is a special edition to celebrate 100 years since the first South American finals, taking place in USA and featuring a bumper 16 sides.

Official: West Brom sign Lindegaard from Man Utd

West Brom have completed the signing of Anders Lindegaard from Manchester United on a two-year deal.

The 31-year-old arrives at The Hawthorns on a free transfer and will take up the No. 21 shirt, providing competition for existing goalkeepers Ben Foster and Boaz Myhill.

He told the club's official website: "Since moving to England I've been impressed with how well West Brom have done in the Premier League.

"I had a good chat with Tony Pulis - I must call him the 'gaffer' now - and he convinced me it would be a good move for me and the club. 

"From there things moved very quickly. I was very keen to get it done so I can just concentrate on the thing that matters most, the football.

"I am very happy to join and hope I can make a big contribution this season."

The Denmark international, who made just 19 league appearances for United, joins former Old Trafford colleagues Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans to the West Brom set-up as Pulis' fifth signing of the summer.

Manchester United-bound Martial has 'big potential' - Deschamps

France coach Didier Deschamps believes Anthony Martial has "big potential" - although must play first-team football at Manchester United.

Martial had arrived at Clairefontaine to link up with the senior squad for the first time ahead of international friendlies with Portugal and Serbia, although has since been given permission to travel to England.

And Deschamps feels the 19-year-old - who only agreed a new four-year contract at Monaco in June - has the makings of a leading player should he complete his move to Old Trafford.

He said: "Obviously, he is a player with a big potential. He was just called up to the national team.

"Is it the right choice for Anthony? He is going to a big club. We will keep following him. He will be in another planet, another galaxy. It's up to him to progress and gain some time to play."

France Under-21 coach Pierre Mankowski believes United are signing an 'innate talent' who is 'unstoppable' with the ball.

He said: "He is a talent. When he takes the ball, he is unstoppable. But he is still young. He has a lot of things to work on. But since he has this innate talent, it means he has a bright future.

"It's up to him to prove with the senior national team and with his new club. He has everything to become a great player. But he needs to do everything every day to be at the top level.

"Am I surprised? Yes and no. I have been thinking for a long time - with the games he has played - that he will reach another level. I don't know if it's too soon but it is the right moment."

Official: Ideye departs West Brom for Olympiakos

Brown Ideye has left West Brom to join Olympiakos for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old scored just four goals in 26 league appearances for the Baggies after joining in July 2014 for a reported club-record £10 million, but failed to live up to his price tag at The Hawthorns.

OFFICIAL: Javier Hernandez signs for Bayer Leverkusen

Bayer Leverkusen have completed the signing of Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez.

Official: Wolfsburg sign Draxler from Schalke

Wolfsburg have completed the signing of Julian Draxler from Schalke.

The 21-year-old attacking midfielder joins as a replacement for Kevin de Bruyne, who left for Manchester City on Sunday.

Germany international Draxler had been the subject of interest from Juventus throughout the summer, but the Serie A side failed to match Schalke's asking price and the deal collapsed.

Following De Bruyne's £55 million move, Wolfsburg have acted quickly, splashing out to sign the World Cup winner on a five year contract.

"Wolfsburg is a new challenge for me," Draxler told the club's official website. "I want to continue to play top level football. Wolfsburg offers me an excellent perspective and has an extremely strong team.

"I look forward to the playing in the Champions League with the team and will play for the title here over the coming years."

While the two sides have refused to reveal the transfer fee, sporting director Horst Heldt insists is that it is the most the Gelsenkirchen club have ever received for a player.

“There are two reasons for our decision to accept Wolfsburg’s offer," he told the club's official website. "We will not be disclosing information about the transfer fee, but we can say that it is the biggest amount we’ve received for a player at Schalke.

"Moreover, we have complied with Julian’s desire to move to another club.

“At the end of last season, Julian came to me and expressly said that he wanted to leave the club. I told him that we would consider any offers that came in for him, but I also tried to convince him until the end to stay in light of the new sporting direction that we’re now taking.

“It was clear for us that we would only agree to any transfer if the offer matched our valuation."

As well as the signing of Draxler, Wolfsburg also confirmed that Dante has joined from Bayern Munich on a three-year deal.

Coman: I've always wanted to play for a big club like Bayern

Kingsley Coman has appeared to issue a stinging barb in the direction of Juventus after claiming he is delighted to have finally joined "a really big club" in Bayern Munich.

The France youth international completed a two-year loan switch from Juve to the Bundesliga champions on Sunday, following in the footsteps of Arturo Vidal, who left Turin for the Allianz Arena earlier this summer.

Despite having emerged through the youth ranks at Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain and winning Serie A during his year in Italy, Coman has suggested he only now believes his ambitions are being met.

"Obviously I'm very happy indeed. It's a dream come true. I always wanted to play for a really big club like Bayern," he told the club's official television channel.

"The coach, the team, the way football's played here - I think it'll suit me.

"When you find out Bayern are interested, you don't think about it for long. I also had very good talks with the club.

"My goal is to play and prove the club was right to put its faith in me. I spoke to Arturo. He told me Bayern are a very big club and I should definitely come here."

Tottenham reception gave me goose bumps, admits Son

New Tottenham winger Son Heung-Min admits he was left with goose bumps by his unveiling at home to Everton, and says he is eager to repay the support of the fans.

Son signed for Spurs from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on Friday in a deal believed to be worth around £22 million, penning a five-year contract with the north London club.

The 23-year-old requires his work permit to be finalised before making his Spurs debut but, after being introduced to the White Hart Lane crowd on Saturday, he admits he is excited to get started.

"It is the league that I have dreamed of playing in since I was young," he told told repoters at the Paju National Football Center.

"I feel good even though I have not played a game there. I had goose bumps when I entered White Hart Lane and so many fans welcomed me. Now I have to prepare to play well."

The South Korea international, who is Mauricio Pochettino fifth signing this summer, is now the most expensive Asian player in history and he says he is proud of Tottenham’s valuation of him.

He said: "I feel responsible, also proud because Tottenham valued me that highly.

"It is very important for players to feel valued. Now I'm going to show that I'm worth it.

"There is competition in every team, I would have to win starting place first. I won't rush anything, I want to go step by step."

Adebayor offered to Man Utd

Emmanuel Adebayor has been told he has no future at Tottenham, with the club actively seeking an exit, and has now been offered to Manchester United after moves to West Ham and Aston Villa collapsed.

Source: Daily Express

Almost Done: Real Madrid agree De Gea fee

Real Madrid have agreed a fee of between €30-35 million for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea. Keylor Navas could move in the opposite direction.

Source: Marca

Nesta appointed Miami coach

Alessandro Nesta has been appointed as head coach of new American side Miami FC.

The club was founded in May this year and are set to compete in the North American Soccer League from 2016.

Having recently revealed their first badge, the American side have unveiled their first head coach, with ex-AC Milan and Montreal Impact defender Nesta taking over.

The appointment comes as the three-time Serie A champion and World Cup winning centre-back's first job as a head coach. 

In joining Miami, Nesta is teaming up with a former Milan and Italy team-mate Paolo Maldini, who is co-owner of the club. 

Official: Borini joins Sunderland from Liverpool

Fabio Borini has completed a permanent move from Liverpool to Sunderland.

Thegoalmac reported on Monday morning that Borini was due to travel to Wearside on Monday to undergo a medical ahead of a £7 million switch, with the Black Cats seeing off competition from Inter and Watford.

The 24-year-old spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Sunderland before returning to Anfield for the following campaign, and has now signed a four-year deal at the Stadium of Light.

The Italian striker scored seven goals in 32 Premier League games for the Black Cats, but turned down a permanent switch last summer in order to fight for a starting XI spot in Brendan Rodgers' side.

Borini failed to secure a regular role for Liverpool last season despite the club finishing a disappointing sixth in the table, and has now brought his three-year spell on Merseyside to an end.

Dante leaves Bayern Munich to join Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg have completed the signing of  centre-back Dante from Bayern Munich.

Bayern had revealed on Sunday that the 31-year-old was set to leave the Bundesliga champions for last season's runners-up.

And Wolfsburg have now revealed that the defender has joined them on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

"We are pleased that Dante has decided to join Wolfsburg," the club's sporting director Klaus Allofs said. "In him we have signed a player who further increases our capabilities and quality defensively and who also has a lot of international experience, which is important especially in our goal to compete in the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal."

Head coach Dieter Hecking added: "Dante is a seasoned Bundesliga player who will help us immediately. With his quality and his character he fits perfectly into our squad."

Following his move to Bayern from Borussia Monchengladbach three years ago, Dante remained a key player for the Bavarian side up until this season. The defender had been left out of the side for the first two Bundesliga games this term and came off the bench for the last 20 minutes of Saturday's win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Dante is one of two signings Wolfsburg made on Monday, having also completed the transfer of Julian Draxler from Schalke as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who left to join Manchester City.

Official: Dortmund complete Januzaj loan swoop

Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj has completed a season-long loan move to Borussia Dortmund.

The 20-year-old has seen his chances of first-team football at Old Trafford restricted under Louis van Gaal and he has now joined the Bundesliga side until the end of the season, where he will wear number nine.

He told the club's official website: “Borussia Dortmund is a big club and the fans are supposed to be unbelievable here. I want to achieve big things with this team.”


Januzaj had initially announced his intention to stay at the club after scoring the winning goal against Aston Villa, in what was his first league start since February, announcing his desire to "fight for his place".
The Belgium international, who joins former United midfielder Shinji Kagawa at the Westlfalenstadion, becomes the seventh summer arrival at the current Bundesliga table toppers.

Almost Done: Manchester United close in on Martial after striker leaves France squad

Manchester United appear to be closing in on a deal for Monaco striker Anthony Martial after the French Football Federation confirmed the 19-year-old had left the national team in order to travel to England.

Signing a new striker is Louis van Gaal's top priority before the close of the English transfer window on Tuesday, with Javier Hernandez widely reported to be in advanced talks with Bayer Leverkusen.

And Martial, who scored nine goals in 35 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco last season and was linked with Tottenham this summer, has risen to the top of United's wishlist after Chelsea snatched unsettled Barcelona forward Pedro from Van Gaal's grasp earlier this month.

A statement from the FFF read: "Anthony Martial was presented Monday at 11:00 at the gathering of the France team at Clairefontaine. He requested from Didier Deschamps permission to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United.

"Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has acceded to the request of the player.

"Anthony Martial left Clairefontaine Monday at 12:00. He will return on Tuesday morning."

Martial, 19, has come to be regarded as one of Ligue 1's brightest attacking talents since joining Monaco from Lyon in the summer of 2013 and has represented France at every youth level.

He would become United's sixth signing of a busy summer, joining Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sergio Romero and Matteo Darmian at Old Trafford.

Motta thankful for Di Maria arrival

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta believes Angel Di Maria will prove his quality in Ligue 1 and has thanked the club's owners for signing him.

Di Maria made his PSG debut in Sunday's 3-0 win over Monaco at the Stade Louis II and provided an assist for Ezequiel Lavezzi after Edinson Cavani had scored twice.

Former Manchester United and Real Madrid man Di Maria had to wait three games to make his debut for the French champions but Motta is convinced of the 27-year-old's quality.

"He is a great player. Everyone knows it," explained Motta.

"He is a great player with experience and great quality. I'm sure he will show his quality for the team. With him, we are stronger. 

"We have to thank the club for signing a player of the level of Angel. I think it's good for Paris Saint-Germain."

Motta ended speculation over his future last week by agreeing a new two-year extension to his deal in the French capital.

"I've always been quiet and now I am more so because I know that I will stay at Paris Saint-Germain for two more years," he added.

"Along with my team-mates, I will try to give 200 per cent."

Van Gaal: Romero not to blame for Manchester United defeat

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal refused to blame Sergio Romero for Sunday's disappointing 2-1 loss at Swansea City.

Romero - continuing to deputising for Real Madrid target David de Gea - exhibited faulty kicking throughout and dubious positioning for Bafetimbi Gomis' winning goal as United slumped to their first Premier League defeat of the season.

After Juan Mata gave United an early second-half lead, Romero was beaten by Andre Ayew's header just past the hour-mark before reacting too slowly as Gomis tucked the ball underneath the Argentina international at his near post five minutes later.

Romero's performance sparked calls for United to sign a new goalkeeper before the transfer window shuts on September 1, should De Gea leave for Real Madrid as expected.

But when asked whether he was disappointed by Romero's display, Van Gaal said: "What I always say is that defending starts in front and not only in the last line. You can always analyse errors. But I don't think that is a good way.

"You have to see how the team is defending as a team and then I know what errors have been made. At the end, of course, the pressure for the last defender or goalkeeper is always higher.

"So I don't agree when you only say, or want to write, that the goalkeeper today was not so good. It is not like that."

Low: Germany less reliant on Schweinsteiger now

Germany boss Joachim Low has suggested he will use captain Bastian Schweinsteiger sparingly over the coming years amid concerns over the midfielder's displays for new club Manchester United.

The 31-year-old completed 90 minutes for the first time this season as the Red Devils fell to a 2-1 defeat against Swansea City, with some critics highlighting his lack of mobility and fitness.

Low, though, remains convinced of Schweinsteiger's importance to Die Mannschaft, but ackowledges that he must pick and choose when he fields his skipper to ensure he is always operating at 100 per cent.

"Maybe I no longer need Bastian in every match now," Low told Suddeutsche Zeitung.

"I need him when it is important for us. Then I know that he performs and assumes responsibility and his will to win is like no other."

Germany are in the midst of Euro 2016 qualifying and take on Poland on Friday before facing Scotland three days later, but Low says he is just as focused on plotting how he can defend his nation's World Cup title.

"The European Championships in France is for us a great goal but our thoughts go already beyond in all plans," he continued. "We have the 2018 World Cup in mind - Mission: Title Defence."

On the subject of Germany's upcoming games, he added: "The decisive factor for me is that we can be on our own as leaders.

"The goal is to win both games. I know many players of my team for many years and I know that, in games like against Poland, they are motivated to the tips of their hair."

Poland lead Group D with 14 points heading into the match, with Germany (13) in second and Scotland (11) in third.

Zenit demand €100m for Witsel

Zenit maintain that Axel Witsel is not for sale unless a club meet his €100 million (£72.8m) release clause.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Tottenham, while Thegoalmac understands that the midfielder was on Chelsea’s shortlist earlier this summer.

AC Milan have also signalled their interest in the Belgium international but admit a deal would be difficult to finance, while the player himself claimed in June that he had been in talks over a switch to Juventus.

"The Belgian is still a Zenit player, the amount for his release clause is €100 million,” said a statement fromTASS, Zenit’s press service.

The Russian transfer window closes on August 31.