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We are in the business of the transfer window and all hell is about to break loose as we enter the final few hours of the 2019 summer edition of it. Let's dive right into it and check out the top transfer stories of the day.
Arsenal confirm Nacho Monreal has joined Real Sociedad
Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal has joined La Liga side Real Sociedad. The 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a 2-year contract at his new club. The Spaniard had been at Arsenal for 6 and a half years.
Arsenal released a statement today that read,
"We would like to thank Nacho for his contribution to the club and everyone at Arsenal wishes him the best for his future,"
Monreal joined Arsenal in 2013 and has been a regular feature ever since. He has scored 10 goals for the club and has been capped 250 times across 7 seasons.
Nacho Monreal has won the FA Cup and the Community Shield thrice with the Gunners. Monreal's departure at this time has come as a bit of a surprise since he had started all 3 games this season for the Gunners.
Now with Monreal's departure, Unai Emery is running short on options at left-back. Arsenal had signed youngster Kieren Tierney from Celtic during the summer. However, he is yet to feature for Emery's side as he continues to be sidelined after undergoing a groin surgery.
As a result, Sead Kolasinac is Emery's only option right now at left-back. Arsenal also posted a heartwarming message for the departing Spaniard on Twitter. It read,
For six-and-a-half years of service, for 250 appearances, for 10 goals, for 20 assists, for three FA Cups, for those equalisers at Old Trafford and Wembley, for your unwavering consistency, and for being our very own #LaCabra, we just want to say…THANK YOU, (Nacho Monreal)!
Manuel Lanzini signs new long-term contract with West Ham United
West Ham United have finally managed to get their playmaker Manuel Lanzini to put pen to paper on a new contract. The new deal ties the Argentine to the club till 2023 and the Hammers will have the option of extending it by a further 2 years.
On signing the new deal, Lanzini said,
"I think it's the best decision for me. I've been here for a long time and I've said in an interview before that I like West Ham, I like the fans, I like the staff and when I came here all the people were comfortable with me. I like to stay here.
"It's a big decision but also easy, because when you feel good in one club and you like the club and the club likes you, it's easier to decide these things. For me, it was not difficult. It was easy, because I love it here.
"I love London, I love the club, I am happy here, we have a very good team, we have a very good manager and the club wants to change and to be in more competitions in the future and that's good for us."
Sevilla to sign Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez from West Ham
Sevilla have agreed a deal with West Ham United for striker Javier Hernandez, as per reports. The Mexican has reportedly already agreed terms with the Andalusians and is all set to touch down in Seville to undergo a medical. He is all set to put pen to paper on a 3 year contract.
The deal will cost Sevilla €9 million including add-ons. Lopetegui has been looking for a striker with a profile that doesn't match that of the ones he has at his disposal and identified Hernandez as the ideal signing.
Hernandez has earlier played in the La Liga for none other than Real Madrid whilst on loan from Manchester United. Chicharito, who has scored 51 international goals from 108 games for the Mexican national team has also played for Bayer Leverkusen.
However, he did not feature heavily for West Ham last season and was not the first-choice striker for them.
Barcelona have to convince Ousmane Dembele to join PSG in order to sign Neymar
PSG sporting director Leonardo has admitted that the club is still trying to see if an agreement can be reached between Barcelona and them for Neymar.
"PSG's position on Neymar has always been clear: if a satisfactory offer arrives then he could leave but that is not the case. Honestly, the first written offer we received [from Barça] was on August 27, five days before the window closes.
"The negotiations have not broken down but there's no agreement for now because our demands have not been met. We are open to talking about including players, but there's not been an agreement in relation to our conditions."
As per a report, Barcelona are trying to include Rakitic, Todibo and Ousmane Dembele as part of the deal. The former 2 are ready to join PSG but Dembele wants to stay at Barcelona and as such the Catalans have hit a stumbling block and without the Dembele, the deal is very unlikely to happen.
Barcelona will need to sort this problem out within the next 48 hours or they will not be able to bring Neymar to the Camp Nou before the transfer window shuts.
Fiorentina Sporting Director claims Bruno Fernandes is going to Real Madrid for €70 million
Shortly after Zinedine Zidane hinted that Real Madrid are not done with their transfer business, Fiorentina Sporting Director Daniele Prada has dropped quite a bomb by claiming that the Sporting Lisbon midfielder Bruno Fernandes will join Real Madrid for €70 million.
Ahead of Real Madrid's game against Villareal, Zizou said,
"Anything can happen until Monday. One bomb, two bombs... But the important thing is tomorrow's game."
Fiorentina have been trying to sign Sporting forward Raphinha. However, Prada said that Sporting are now unlikely to sell Raphinha as they will be left short-staffed in the attacking positions as Bruno Fernandes is all set to join Real Madrid. Speaking at Fiorentina's presentation of their latest acquisition Dalbert, Prada said,
"Raphinha must be off the market because Bruno Fernandes is off to [Real] Madrid for 70 million euros,
Now a claim like that doesn't come out of nothing, does it?
