GOSSIP: Atletico Madrid would be prepared to sell reported Arsenal target Julian Alvarez for £128million, according to the Athletic.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)placeholder image
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo. (Photo by Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)
Alvarez revealed he wanted to leave Atletico during this summer’s World Cup, with Barcelona reported to be his preferred destination, while the Gunners have also been linked with the Argentina striker.
Atletico are refusing to sell Alvarez to LaLiga rivals Barcelona and a number of outlets claim they would consider an approach from Arsenal if they match the Spanish club’s valuation.
The Premier League champions could raise funds by selling winger Gabriel Martinelli, who is moving closer to a £55m switch to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, according to the Daily Mail.
Dutch football outlet Soccer News NL have reported Manchester City have entered the race to sign Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo, with Tottenham still hoping to land the 27-year-old.
SAVINHO JOINS TOTTENHAM IN BIG-MONEY MOVE
TOTTENHAM: Tottenham have taken their summer spending spree beyond the £300million mark after completing the transfer of long-term target Savinho from Manchester City.
Spurs failed in efforts to sign the Brazilian winger at the start of last season and the 22-year-old went on to endure a difficult campaign at Etihad Stadium, but he has now completed a move to north London in an £85m package, the Press Association understands.
An initial fee of £75m plus £10m in add-ons has secured the services of Savinho, who has been on Tottenham’s wish list for more than 12 months and quickly emerged as a key target for Roberto De Zerbi too following his arrival in March.
“It’s taken a while but I’m very happy to be here,” Savinho told the club’s website.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity at a brilliant club with one of the best managers in the world.
“As soon as I spoke to the head coach I knew I had to come. He told me he wants to help me reach the highest level, and I believe we can do that together, as a team.”
The signing of Savinho – who wishes to be referred to as Savio moving forward – is one half of a planned double swoop on City, with talks still ongoing over the addition of forward Omar Marmoush.
Savinho’s arrival has taken Spurs’ summer spend beyond the £300m mark after big-money moves for £100m midfielder Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, who cost £85m, earlier in the transfer window.
It will be a welcome boost for De Zerbi after his new-look team suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat at Brentford on the opening day.
With attacking options James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert either working their way to full fitness or still sidelined, Savinho can expect to go straight into Tottenham’s starting line-up and could make his debut in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Charlton.
Comfortable on either wing, left-footed Savinho started out at Atletico Mineiro in Brazil before successful spells at City Football Group clubs Troyes and Girona earned him a move to City.
Savinho struggled to secure a regular starting berth in Manchester and only scored twice in the Premier League, but after he provided seven goals along with 16 assists during 84 appearances for City, he will aim to fulfil his talent under De Zerbi at Tottenham.
A fresh start could have been possible after the summer arrival of Enzo Maresca, but Savinho made clear to the new City boss his desire to leave from day one of his tenure.
Savinho’s social media activity has caught the attention of Tottenham fans all summer after he liked and commented on multiple Spurs-related posts before the transfer, whilst he will link up with old PSV team-mate Simons in north London.
De Zerbi said: “Savio is a player who brings energy, imagination and quality in wide positions. He has the courage to attack defenders and the ability to change a game with his creativity.
“We’re very pleased to have him with us, and I’m looking forward to working with him, helping him continue to grow and seeing him bring his personality to the team.”
Tottenham’s director of football Johan Lange added: “I know he will excite our supporters every time he gets on the ball and I’m looking forward to watching his development under Roberto’s coaching.”
JUVE KEEPER DI GREGORIO JOINS BOURNEMOUTH ON LOAN
BOURNEMOUTH: Bournemouth have announced the signing of goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio on a season-long loan from Juventus.
The 29-year-old started his career at Inter Milan before making a permanent move to Monza in 2002, helping the club achieve promotion to Serie A for the first time in their history.
Di Gregorio joined Juve in the summer of 2024 and has played in the Champions League.
“I am very happy to be here. This is a very important moment for me and that’s why I think the decision to come here to Bournemouth was the right one,” he said on the Cherries website.
“I felt the club’s desire to have me here and I felt the ambition that this club has to continue to grow and do great things. The Premier League is the most beautiful league in the world. It is an honour for me to be here and to have the chance to play and play at such a high level.”