Football transfers, Chelsea agree deal to sign Caicedo, Kepa Arrizabalaga joins Real madrid

Chelsea will set a new Premier League transfer fee record with Moises Caicedo signing. AP

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga joined Real Madrid on loan for one year, the club announced on Monday. Real Madrid has signed Arrizabalaga to help make up for the absence of the injured Thibaut Courtois.

Kepa’s signing comes four days after Courtois tore a ligament in his left knee during training. The injury will sideline the Belgian international for most of the season.

Kepa arrives on a contract until the end of the season and will join a squad that already included Ukrainian Andriy Lunin, a reserve to Courtois who on Saturday started in the 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao in the team’s Spanish league opener.

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Earlier, Chelsea agreed a deal to sign Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton & Hove Albion, according to media reports on Sunday (August 13) which said the fee would be a British record. Sky Sports reported that Chelsea will pay 115 million pounds ($145.98 million), eclipsing the previous mark set when they bought Enzo Fernandez from Benfica for 106.8 million in January.

It added that Caicedo would sign an eight-year contract, with the Blues paying 100 million plus 15 million in add-ons.

Chelsea had to increase their bid for Caicedo several times but eventually clinched a deal after Liverpool had also reached an agreement with Brighton reported at 111 million pounds.

Ward-Prowse joins Hammers

James Ward-Prowse has sealed his immediate return to England’s top division by ending a 20-year association with relegated Southampton to join West Ham on Monday.

West Ham are using the money the club received for selling midfielder Declan Rice to Arsenal for a reported 105 million pounds ($138 million) last month, with Ward-Prowse costing 30 million pounds ($38 million), and Mexico international Edson Alvarez having already joined from Ajax for 38 million euros ($41.9 million) last week.

“When I think about my game, it is based on hard work, graft, and giving 100%,” Ward-Prowse said after signing a four-year deal. “West Ham United has always been a club that has epitomized that.”

Bayern don’t want Pavard to join Man Utd

Bayern Munich have reportedly rejected Manchester United’s bid for their French defender Benjamin Pavard.

“The Frenchman has been on Erik ten Hag’s shortlist and United have now made an official bid in an effort to bring him to the club, but have been rejected by Bayern,” Sky Germany said.

“United are keen to bring Pavard to the club in an effort to boost their defensive ranks for the new Premier League season as Harry Maguire edges nearer to joining West Ham.

“Pavard has already held talks with United and the two clubs will need to find a suitable fee for the 27-year-old before the transfer window closes on Friday, September 1.

“The player is reportedly open to moving to Old Trafford and has already agreed personal terms ahead of a potential transfer. However, Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel signalled his intent is to keep hold of Pavard by starting the versatile full-back in Saturday’s German Super Cup defeat to Red Bull Leipzig.”

Spurs not interested in Lukaku

As per Football.London , Tottenham are not interested in signing Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku. While it was reported in Italy that Spurs want Lukaku to replace Harry Kane who has joined Bayern Munich, the new report says otherwise.

Kane moved to Bayern Munich in a deal worth £100m last week.

Mbappe could sign a new deal at PSG

For a very long time, it was felt that Kylian Mbappe would leave Paris Saint-Germain for free next year after refusing to sign an extension. The player who only has one year left on his contract was pushed out to train with the reserve squad after he refused to enter negotiations with PSG but it ha snow has been reported by The Telegraph that both the player and the club are ready to sign a new deal.

Mbappe was reinstated into the first team on Sunday by PSG and now the report says a new contract with a release clause could be agreed upon soon

“PSG had offered Mbappe a new contract which included a guaranteed sale clause next year, allowing him to leave for a fixed amount. The 24-year-old even refused to enter into negotiations but the fact that a breakthrough has now been made suggests a new deal with a release clause is now the most likely outcome and talks are set to resume,” The Telegraph report said.

Neymar close to joining Al Hilal

Neymar who still has three years left on his contract at PSG is inching closer to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal after it was reported that both clubs have begun negotiations.

Al Hilal are preparing formal documents to be checked on Monday in order to get Neymar Jr deal done 🚨🔵🇧🇷 #Neymar

Player already approved the move, two year contract — lawyers will be on it.

Al Hilal already booked medical tests; waiting for Ney’s camp final green light. pic.twitter.com/EH9VZgeodX

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 14, 2023

Fabrizio Romano has reported that the move has also been approved by Neymar.

With agency inputs