Football transfers: The movers, shakers and maybes

Football transfers: The movers, shakers and maybes
By Euronews
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With the World Cup dust almost settled and the national leagues still on holiday, we take a look at some of the key movers and shakers from the summer transfer window.

Real Madrid got their man – the European champions captured the signature of World Cup star and golden boot winner – Colombia’s James Rodriguez.

At the Spanish giants Rodriguez will join World Cup winner Toni Kroos who completed a 30 million euro move from German Champions Bayern Munich on a six-year contract.

A four-month ban from all football-related activity for yet another biting episode didn’t put Barcelona off paying Liverpool 81 million euros for controversial Uruguay striker Luis Suarez.

From the English capital to the French capital, Brazil centre-back David Luiz joined Paris Saint Germain from Chelsea for 49.5 million euros.

As Luiz leaves Stamford bridge Brazilian-born Spaniard Diego Costa arrives.

The 25-year-old striker joined from Atletico Madrid on a five-year deal worth an estimated 40 million euros.

Chile’s World Cup star Alexis Sanchez has joined Arsenal from Barcelona.

He joined the Gunners on a long-term contract for a reported fee of around 44 million euros.

It’s not just players moving about – last week Juventus appointed former Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri as coach to replace Antonio Conte who surprised all by stepping down last week from Italian champions with a year left on his contract.

Set to sign

The summer market is not over yet, though, and there is a host of big names ready to switch allegiances. In some cases, for staggering amounts of money.

Manchester United look set to beat Monaco, PSG and Liverpool in the race to sign Real Madrid’s Angel Di Maria.

Argentina’s World Cup star carries a minimum price tag of 40 million euros.

World Cup-winning midfielder Sami Khedira is at the centre of a tug-of-war between Chelsea and Arsenal.

The Blues however look most likely to bag the Real Madrid man despite his €250,000-a-week wage demands.

He has become the world’s most wanted goalkeeper – Keylor Navas’s performances between the sticks for Costa Rica at the World Cup has earned him an expected move to Real Madrid from Levante.

He cost Chelsea 58,5 million euros but now the Londoners are looking to offload under-performing Spaniard Fernando Torres for around 16 million to his former club Atletico Madrid, who feel that price is too high.

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Another possible move that would thrill the Chelsea faithful comes in the form of club hero and free agent Didier Drogba, who could be on his way back to Stamford bridge after a one year contract was put on the table.

Heading stateside

The high-profile transfers are not just within Europe.

There are some players who, in the twilight of their careers, have decided to leave the ‘old continent’ seeking new adventures and better salaries in the the good ol’ US of A.

Kaka head’s stateside. The former Brazil international has signed for Major League Soccer debutants Orlando City for three and a half years, but before March’s season opener the former ‘world player of the year’ will be loaned out to Sao Paulo.

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After 13 years at Chelsea – where he’s the club’s all-time leading goal scorer, former england captain Frank Lampard joins Kaka across the pond after penning a deal to play with MLS newcomers New York City FC.

In New York Lampard joins Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer David Villa who signed with the MLS team for three years.

Both players will link up in Australia with Melbourne for a ten-game loan spell in the A-League before continuing their careers in the ‘Big Apple’.

New York aren’t stopping with Lampard and Villa – the Manchester City owned club highlighted their intentions for titles after it was announced they are set to sign Barcelona midfielder, Xavi.

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