Transfer Round-up: Varane, Kounde, Malen

A World Cup-winning centre-back is heading to Old Trafford, Chelsea has their eyes firmly fixed on a 22-year-old, Borussia Dortmund has roped in a new winger, and lots more in our weekly transfer round-up from Europe’s top leagues and the Indian Super League (ISL).

Varane’s new challenge

Real Madrid stalwart Raphael Varane is poised to become Manchester United’s third capture in the summer transfer window after the English Premier League side confirmed it reached an agreement with the La Liga giants to sign the 28-year-old. After making his debut for Real Madrid in the 2011-12 season, he has won four UEFA Champions League titles and lifted the La Liga thrice. Varane also played a pivotal role in France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup triumph.

Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced the signing of Pierluigi Gollini and Bryan Gil from Atalanta and Sevilla, respectively. Gollini, the 26-year-old goalkeeper, joins on a season-long deal with the option of making it permanent. Meanwhile, Gil has penned a five-year contract, and Erik Lamela moved to Sevilla as a part of the deal. The club also announced Toby Alderweireld’s departure. The defender completed a move to Qatar Stars League team Al Duhail.

Chelsea & Kounde

UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea are eyeing highly talented Jules Kounde. The London outfit, who has been in the hunt for a centre-back for a long time, is keen to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge. According to reports, Chelsea has opened negotiations with Sevilla and offered more than £20 million and included Kurt Zouma, too, in the deal. The youngster’s arrival will further strengthen the Chelsea backline, led by 36-year-old Thiago Silva.

Arsenal is likely to announce Ben White’s move from Brighton & Hove Albion in the coming days. The defender reportedly signed a five-year deal with the North London side, who has bought Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga from Benfica and Anderlecht, respectively, in the transfer window so far. Meanwhile, a small number of Covid-19 cases at the club forced Arsenal to cancel their pre-season tour to the USA. The Gunners were supposed to participate in a four-team Florida Cup, along with Inter Milan, Everton, and Colombian club Millonarios.

Exit Sancho, Enter Malen

Five-time Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund snapped up Donyell Malen from PSV Eindhoven. The 22-year-old, who replaces Sancho, struck 19 goals and grabbed eight assists in Eredivisie – the Dutch top division. He has also impressed in national team colors in the recently concluded Euro 2020.

Erling Haaland is unlikely to leave Borussia Dortmund despite rumors linking him to Chelsea. The young sensation, who has scored 27 goals from 28 matches in Bundesliga last term, attracted interest from Manchester City, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, etc. However, club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said the forward “will remain a Borussia Dortmund player next year.”

ISL: ‘Sky blue’ Igor; ‘Yellow’ Juanan

Mumbai City FC has acquired the services of Igor Angulo for the upcoming ISL campaign. The forward won the Golden Boot in ISL last season with 14 goals in 21 outings for FC Goa. Mumbai City FC finished as league winners and lifted their maiden ISL title under new head coach Sergio Lobera last season.

Former Bengaluru FC defender Juanan has signed a one-year deal with Hyderabad FC. He has spent five years at Bengaluru FC and won the ISL title in the 2018-19 campaign. The 34-year-old joins Bartholomew Ogbeche and Edu Garcia as Hyderabad FC’s third foreign signing of the 2021-22 season.

Spanish duo Victor Mongil and Javi Hernandez have joined Odisha FC, who finished bottom of the points table in the ISL last term. Both players turned out for ATK in the 2019-20 season. Victor, a centre-back, represented Georgian club Dinamo Tbilisi in the 2020-21 season, and attacking midfielder Javi made 17 appearances for ATK Mohun Bagan in ISL 7.

ATK Mohun Bagan’s prolific frontman Roy Krishna has put all speculations to the bed by signing an extension with the Kolkata club. The Fijian, ATK Mohun Bagan’s top goalscorer in the last two seasons, has scored 29 goals in 44 appearances in ISL. He, along with new foreign arrivals Joni Kauko and Hugo Boumous, is expected to be available for the club’s AFC Cup campaign, which begins on August 18.

Jobby Justin, who has won an ISL title with ATK Mohun Bagan, penned a two-year deal with two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin FC. The forward, who hails from Kerala, missed the entire last season of the ISL owing to a ligament injury.

Bengaluru FC has roped in a few players who impressed in I-League – the Indian football second tier. The 2018-19 champions signed Bidyashagar Singh, the top goalscorer in the I-League last term, and 25-year-old forward Danish Farooq from Real Kashmir FC. The South Indian outfit will face Eagles FC in an AFC Cup playoff clash on August 15.