Arsenal
Arsenal are reportedly coming up empty in their pursuit for Borussia Dortmund winger Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the Bundesliga club's sporting director Michael Zorc telling Kicker he has "made it clear that we are planning to keep him".
The Gabon international was linked with Arsenal, as well as Paris Saint-Germain, earlier last week.
Aubameyang, 26, joined Dortmund from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne before the 2013/14 season. He has been one of the club’s most productive players under departed coach Jurgen Klopp, scoring 13 goals in 32 league appearances his first season and 16 with six assists in 33 league matches. He also scored three goals with two assists in eight Champions League appearances.
The reports last week suggested Aubameyang would welcome the move. But, Zorch says, Aubameyang is in Borussia Dortmund’s “long-term plans”.
Barcelona
Should Joan Laporta win Barcelona's upcoming presidential elections, Paul Pogba's agent claims it could pave the way for his client's move to the La Liga giants.
Mino Raiola tells Spain's Agencia EFE Pogba would have "many options to play at Barcelona" in the event Laporta returns to power at the club.
“First he’ll need to talk to me and to Juventus, but it can be done,” said Raiola.
Pogba has been the summer’s hottest transfer ticket, linked to the likes of Manchester City as well as many of Europe’s other biggest clubs.
Reaching the Champions League final with Serie A giants Juventus, Pogba scored eight goals with three assists in 26 league matches and added another goal and two assists in 10 Champions League matches with his all-encompassing play in midfield.
Sunderland
Sunderland have signed French defender Younes Kaboul from Tottenham Hotspur, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.
Kaboul put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Dick Advocaat’s side after they agreed a fee reported to be around £3 million (Dh17.3m).
“I’m delighted to be a Sunderland player and it’s an honour to join this club. I would like to thank (sporting director) Lee Congerton and the head coach for making this move possible, and I can’t wait to start playing for the Sunderland supporters,” Kaboul said.
Kaboul’s positive comments about his move to the Stadium of Light are a stark contrast to the quotes attributed to his agent when he was first linked with a switch to Sunderland way back in 2008.
“Younes would not join Sunderland – even if there was an earthquake,” Rudy Raba said.
“We’ve much more interesting options. No disrespect, but playing at Sunderland would not help his international career.”
Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page
Having made a seismic change in his views about Sunderland, Kaboul becomes Advocaat’s fourth signing of the transfer window following deals for Sebastian Coates, Adam Matthews and Jeremain Lens.
“He is a very experienced player, which is what we need. He has shown that in his time at Spurs and he will be a very good addition to our squad,” Advocaat said.
The 29-year-old centre-back began his career with Auxerre, joined Tottenham in 2007, then moved to Portsmouth before returning to White Hart Lane in 2010.
He fell out of favour with Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino last season and opted to join Sunderland in search of regular first team action.
Middlesbrough
Four years after joining Liverpool for a fee of £20 million, Stewart Downing dropped out of the top flight after signing a four-year contract to return to Middlesbrough, the Championship club said on Thursday.
The 30-year-old, who made 35 appearances for England without scoring, returns to the club where he spent eight years from Premier League side West Ham United, for a fee reported to be in the region of £5m.
“It’s an amazing signing for us. He’s more than just a player,” Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka told the second-tier club’s website.
“Nobody expected him to come here, but he wants to be here, and is completely committed to the club and the team. He is a very good person and I’m excited to work with him.”
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