August 6th: Weekly Football News Catch Up: Barcelona Player Registration Issues; PSG’s 5th Signing; Alex Telles, Marcos Alonso; Others

Chelsea Secure Spanish Left-Back Marc Cucurella.

Marc Cucurella has officially been acquired by Chelsea from Brighton as Thomas Tuchel’s buying rampage continues this summer.

There was a lot of interest in the Spanish defender, with Manchester City and Barcelona among those who were eager to sign him.

Cucurella moved to Brighton in the summer of 2021 for an estimated amount of £15.4 million after having a wonderful season with Getafe, winning the Player of the Season as well as the fans’ choice award,

The left-back will now play for the blues after signing a six-year deal for a fee of £55 million (€65 million/$67 million), with a further £7 million in add-ons.

La Liga Blocks Barcelona From Registering Its Five New Signings.

Barcelona has been handed a disturbing setback after learning that they will be unable to register any new acquisitions until they reduce their spending.

The Catalans signed Jules Kounde, Franck Kessie, Raphinha, Andreas Christensen, and Robert Lewandowski this summer.

However, all of these signings must wait until the club’s books are in order before they can be registered with LaLiga.

Barça was also unable to register Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto as they had just signed contract extensions, eight days before the start of the league.

The report may have significant implications on the Frenkie de Jong drama, in which the Dutch midfielder, who is said to be the highest-paid player at Barcelona, has been linked repeatedly to Manchester United and Chelsea.

Selling current team members might certainly aid Barca in its quest to reduce spending in order to register its new acquisitions.

Barça Close To Signing Marcos Alonso.

Barcelona is very close to signing Spanish left-back, Marcos Alonso from Chelsea this summer.

The Catalans have been keen on recruiting Alonso from the Blues this transfer window. Talks have been ongoing throughout the summer, and it appears that the two parties have finally agreed on a deal for the defender.

The amount agreed upon by the two clubs is rumoured to be around €10 million.

The signing of Marc Cucurella from Brighton appears to have advanced Alonso’s departure from Stamford Bridge and the athlete is eager to return to his home country and join Barcelona.

PSG Makes 5th Summer Signing, Renato Sanches.

Renato Sanches, a Portuguese midfielder, has joined Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year contract until 2027.

This makes the midfielder PSG’s fifth summer addition after Nuno Mendes, whose loan from last season was made permanent, Vitinha, Nordi Mukiele, and Hugo Ekitike, for a cost of €15 million, less than Lille paid in 2019.

Prior to the club making the deal official, PSG coach Christophe Galtier spoke to the media about Sanches and what he adds to the team.

He said, “Renato has qualities that others in our squad don’t have.

“He’s a very explosive player, hard-hitting, with impact. There was this opportunity in the market to take a very high-level player, who knows the French championship.

“He will have to integrate, he arrives late. He has played little in pre-season. He will be late compared to his teammates. But he is different in his ability to break lines and recover balls.

Alex Telles Moves To Sevilla On Loan.

Manchester United left-back, Alex Telles has joined Spanish side Sevilla, on a loan deal till 2023.

It is understood that the La Liga team has agreed to pay the Brazilian’s full wage, although, there is no option to purchase the player next summer.

Following the acquisition of fellow countryman Marcao from Galatasaray for almost £10 million, Telles becomes Julen Lopetegui’s second addition of the summer transfer window.

On Sevilla’s official website and social media accounts, the club announced Telles’ arrival, and Telles also used Twitter to announce his temporary relocation to Los Rojiblancos.

The 29-year-old defender wrote, “A post from the defender read: “VAMOS! I am honoured by this opportunity. I arrive with a lot of desire to add and get the best possible results for Sevilla. I can’t wait to debut and be able to help my teammates.”

Carney Chukwuemeka Joins Chelsea On A Six-Year Deal.

According to Chelsea’s announcement on Thursday, Carney Chukwuemeka has officially joined the club from Aston Villa.

The London club had earlier disclosed that an agreement had been reached with Villa over the 18-year-old’s move to Stamford Bridge.

Chukwuemeka is the fourth player to join Thomas Tuchel’s squad this summer after Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Gabriel Slonina.

This is part of Tuchel’s strategy to strengthen his team ahead of the 2022–23 Premier League season.

According to rumours, Chelsea paid £15 million for his services, plus a further £5 million in add-ons.

The midfielder has committed to Chelsea for six years, keeping him there until 2028.

Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun Leaves On Loan To Reims.

Arsenal has announced that Folarin Balogun will join Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims on loan for the 2022/23 season.

The agreement is a win for the French club, as several Premier League clubs had offered the 21-year-old the opportunity to further his growth in England.

After loaning out star striker Hugo Ekitike to Paris Saint-Germain, a deal that will see the 20-year-old sign with the French champions permanently next summer, Reims had a gap in their attack that needed to be filled and they are hoping that Balogun can be the one.

Watford Makes Move For Ethan Laird.

Promising Manchester United player Ethan Laird is apparently going on loan to Watford.

The Red Devils have big expectations for the 20-year-old right back but believe he will benefit from regular matches against Championship big names.

Laird is reportedly wanted by the Hornets for their whole second-tier campaign.

The English man also spent last season on loan with Swansea and Bournemouth in the Championship.

The right-back was part of the Red Devils’ first team which travelled to Australia for the pre-season games.