August 13: Weekly Football News Catch Up: Chelsea To Match Bid For Fofana; Barca Pulls 4th “Economic Lever”; Manchester City Agrees Deal For Left Back; United To Put In Proposal For Cody Gakpo; Others

Juventus Signs Filip Kostic From Eintracht Frankfurt.

Filip Kostic has been formally announced as a Juventus player after a €16 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

The 29-year-old’s performances in the Europa League the previous season drew interest from clubs all over the continent.

Frankfurt won the competition after defeating Rangers in the finals with Kostic contributing three goals and four assists to secure his team’s victory.

However, Kostic has now made a move from Frankfurt to Juve for a reported sum of €16 million (£14 million) plus add-ons.

He said to be on a €2.5 million a year wage while playing in Turin.

The Serbia international has been given a three-year deal by Juventus, and he will now join Massimiliano Allegri’s team in time for Monday’s season-opening match against Sassuolo.

He will continue to play for Juve at least until the end of their 2025–26 season.

Barcelona Pulls 4th “Economic Lever.”

In advance of the start of the new La Liga season this weekend, Barcelona announced on Friday that they have pulled a controversial fourth “economic lever.”

As was generally anticipated, the Catalans have sold another 24.5 per cent of Barca Studios for a price of 100 million euros.

The club said in an official statement: “FC Barcelona announces the sale of 24.5% of Barça Studios to the company Orpheus Media, managed by Mr Jaume Roures, an audiovisual production company with a long history of producing content, for 100 million euros.

“The agreement complements the one signed on 29 July with Socios.com and will help to accelerate the growth of the club’s digital, NFT and Web.3 strategy.

“The sale was conducted under the authorization of the General Assembly of FC Barcelona Members last October 23.

“With this investment, the strategic partners in Barça Studios show confidence in the value of the project and the future of digital content in the world of sport.”

The most recent action may help Barca’s financial situation, however, it is unclear at this time whether it will be sufficient to sign all of their new acquisitions.

Manchester United Makes Move For Cody Gakpo And Adrien Rabiot.

Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, wishes to strengthen his attack at Old Trafford by bringing in £35 million-rated Cody Gakpo, who scored 21 goals in 47 games last season for PSV.

United has devoted a significant portion of the transfer window to pursuing its top forward target Antony, but it has long been known that Ajax intends to keep him and it would require a little around £70 million to secure the winger.

Gakpo, who is being coached by former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, has emerged as a more durable solution to the lack of quality forward alternatives for the Reds.

The PSV academy product, who is an international of the Netherlands, finished the previous season with 21 goals in 47 games.

However, there is hope for Manchester United as PSV’s position has been that it is unlikely for them to keep their key players if a club with significant financial resources enters the picture.

In the meantime, United has reached an agreement with Juventus for its midfielder, Adrien Rabiot.

However, personal terms with his agent, who is his mother, Veronique Rabiot still need to be worked out before the transfer is finalized and it is anticipated to happen soon.

Marcus Rashford Links With PSG.

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has been targeted by Paris Saint-Germain for a while, and after a rough 18 months at Old Trafford, the winger’s future in England is uncertain.

Rashford’s contract has just one year left on it, with an additional year’s option and there haven’t been any talks about a new contract, which has fueled rumours of a possible departure.

Now, famous French publication L’Equipe is saying, via Sport Witness, that Paris Saint-Germain is interested in signing Rashford to strengthen their front line and has already made negotiations with Rashford’s agents.

However, according to Erik ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager, Marcus Rashford will remain at the club despite the PSG rumours.

In his press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against Brentford, the Dutchman, speaking to journalists, quickly played off Rashford’s exit.

He said, “He [Rashford] is really important. You have seen from the first day I’m in [the club], I’ve been really pleased [with him].

“Definitely, I don’t want to lose him. He’s in our plans and he will stay at Manchester United.”

Manchester City Agrees Deal For Left Back Sergio Gomez.

Manchester City has secured a move for Sergio Gomez, a left back from Anderlecht, for a deal worth £11 million (€13 million).

He is scheduled to arrive in Manchester to carry out his medicals and complete the move.

The 21-year-old is seen as a development player by City, and a loan is planned for him to another City Group club.

It is not out of the question that he may play for Pep Guardiola’s first team this season, but City is still concentrating on other first-team goals.

RB Leipzig Completes Move For Benjamin Sesko.

Red Bull Salzburg striker, Benjamin Sesko has been officially signed by RB Leipzig on a five-year contract till June 2028.

The 19-year-old will join the Bundesliga team on July 1 of 2023 after spending the 2022–23 season with the Austrian champions.

Manchester United had scouted Sesko and was eyeing a potential move this summer with John Murtough, the club’s football director, meeting with the player’s agent.

United had been keeping an eye on the forward since he was with Slovenian club Domzale. However, in 2019, the Premier League team thought a €3 million (£2.5 million, $3.1 million) asking price was too high. Although United kept tabs on Sesko, they didn’t think he could be counted on to perform right away in England’s premier league.

Manchester United Ends Pursuit For Striker After Fans Voice Behaviour Concerns.

Last week, an interest in Marko Arnautovic, a striker for Bologna, arose within Manchester United and the club reportedly submitted a bid to secure a move for the player.

However, it was reported that United’s £7.6 million offer for the former West Ham and Stoke City forward was turned down by Bologna, who claimed that the player was a major part of the club’s project.

According to the club, “We want to keep going with Arnautovic and keep him, he’s at the centre of our project.”

“Bologna’s wish now is to keep our current team and strengthen it in order to have an important season. Money is not the issue, Marko is priceless for us.”

However, it was expected that Manchester would come back with an improved offer but the opposite was the case as United ended their pursuit of the player after a number of fans complained to the club about the idea of Arnautovic playing for them due to behaviour concerns.

Also, it was reported that former United players privately voiced their worries about the prospective transfer.

The club has now chosen to move on to other targets instead of returning with an improved offer as was anticipated.

Chelsea Preparing To Match Leicester City’s Price For Fofana.

Wesley Fofana and Chelsea have reached a personal agreement as negotiations to sign the Leicester defender continues.

Chelsea had two offers of £60 million and £65 million rejected for the centre-back with the 21-year-old initially tagged not for sale by Leicester City.

Even so, manager Brendan Rodgers has acknowledged, last week, that “naturally if there is interest from other clubs then, of course, that is looked at by the club.”

Leicester values Fofana at over £80m, and there is a growing sense that they will sell for the appropriate price despite their noticeable desire to keep him for at least another season.

Fofana, who renewed his five-year contract with Leicester in March, is eager to join Chelsea and could earn up to £200,000 a week if the two clubs can agree on a transfer fee.

Following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, Chelsea is currently preparing their next move in an effort to further improve their alternatives in the centre of their defensive line.