European Football Transfer Gossip – Besiktas agree deal to sign Victor Valdes
By Lee Kilby
Playing for 90’s transfer gossip column brings you all the latest news and rumours of ins and outs from the leagues across Europe, including news on the future of Victor Valdes.
Manchester United agree a deal with Besiktas to sign Victor Valdes
Sky Sports report Manchester United have agreed a deal with Turkish side Besiktas for goalkeeper Victor Valdes.
Initially offered the chance to train there last October by United manager Louis van Gaal as he came back from a knee injury, the 33-year-old then signed an 18-month deal in January.
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He made just two appearances at the end of last season and was left out of the squad which went to America for pre-season, despite uncertainty about David de Gea’s future at the club.
Van Gaal later claimed Valdes had refused to play for United’s under-21 side and made it clear he had no future at Old Trafford.
The Super Lig club’s manager Senol Gunes, a former goalkeeper himself, will make the final decision on whether he wants the Spaniard and discussions over personal terms will take place if he does. Besiktas sold their reserve goalkeeper Cenk Gonen to fierce rivals Galatasaray on Tuesday and that has freed up space in their squad for another player in the same position.
Asier Illarramendi heading back to Real Sociedad
Marca report Asier Illarramendi is moving back to Real Sociedad after the midfielder’s boyhood club struck a deal with Real Madrid worth €17 million, sources at the Bernabéu have confirmed to Spanish news agency EFE.
‘Los Blancos’ forked out almost €39m to capture the anchorman back in July 2013, handing him a six-year contract.
Two years later and a move in the opposite direction suited everyone concerned. The San Sebastián outfit will initially welcome Illarra back on loan, but at the end of the season they will be obligated to make the deal permanent for an initial €17m, a figure that could increase depending on add-ons.
Illarramendi was seen as the long-term replacement for Xabi Alonso, but he couldn’t force his way into the managers plans at the Bernabéu.
This is a very good signing for Real Sociedad and manager David Moyes. Illarramendi will be hoping his new team can push on from their 12th place finish in La Liga last season.
Coentrão to sign for AS Monaco
AS report Fabio Coentrao will play for AS Mónaco next season. Real Madrid executives and officials from the French club are currently finalizing the deal and an official announcement is expected later today. The deal will see the Portuguese player play in Ligue 1 on a one year loan deal.
Both Mónaco and Serie A outfit, Inter were the interested clubs in securing the defenders services, but despite their Champions League elimination last night, the conditions offered by the French club proved more attractive for the Portuguese defender.
Coentrao arrived at Real Madrid in 2011 and his current deal expires in June 2018. He’s played 100 games for Madrid scoring once and providing 10 assists.
Llorente seals Sevilla move
Cadena Ser report Sevilla have secured the signing of Fernando Llorente from Juventus. This was after earlier reports from La Gazetta dello Sport reported that the Serie A champions have decided not to allow Italy forward Simone Zaza to go out on loan, paving the way for Llorente to move. Zaza, who cost 18 million from Sassuolo this summer, has said on the social networks that he is remaining at Juventus and also retweeted an Italian journalist who stated that Llorente was on his way to Sevilla.
The Spain striker has emerged as the Europa League champions’ primary target this summer. Agreement between the player and the club was reached a month ago but needs to be ratified by Juventus, who were originally holding out for a cash transfer but are now willing to listen to loan suggestions.