Here are some Official done deals today as more transfer
updates are unfolding as we prepare for the summer transfer window.
Official: Atlanta United signs SuperDraft pick
Josh Bauer
Atlanta United today announced
it has signed 2021 MLS SuperDraft pick Josh Bauer to a one-year contract with
three additional option years. Bauer was Atlanta’s first selction in this
year’s SuperDraft, selected No. 31 overall.
“Josh has done well during preseason and will add competition to
our defensive group,” Atlanta United Vice President and Technical Director
Carlos Bocanegra said. “He’s a player we tracked throughout his college career
and were pleased to have the opportunity to select him where we did.”
Bauer,
22, made 60 career appearances, all starts, and scored 10 goals with 10 assists
at the University of New Hampshire. Over his college career, Bauer was named a
MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in 2019 – an award annually given to the top
collegiate soccer player – and was twice named both the America East Defender
of the Year and the ECAC Defender of the Year. He also helped lead the Wildcats
to back-to-back conference titles.
Source: Club’s Website
Done Deal: New York Red Bulls
Sign Colombian Defender Juan Castillo
New York Red Bulls II have
signed defender Juan Castillo to a USL Championship contract pending federation
and league approval, the club announced today.
Castillo, 18, most recently
played for Millonarios FC U-20 in Copa Libertadores U-20.
“We are really excited to add a
player that has Juan Castillo’s potential,” NYRB II Head Coach John Wolyniec
said. “We look forward to working with a player that has a lot of the qualities
that we admire in young players.” The Tumaco, Colombia native has featured for
Colombian Youth National Teams starting with the U-17’s and most recently
appearing for the U-20’s.
“I feel very glad for this
opportunity with New York Red Bulls II,” Castillo said. “I cannot wait to start
the season and be part of this amazing organization.”
Source: Official website
Neymar ‘given two-week
ULTIMATUM to sign new PSG contract’ amid continued rumours he could return to
Barcelona
Paris Saint- Germain ‘has
issued Neymar with an ultimatum to sign his contract extension within two
weeks’ as they fear he could return to Barcelona.
The Brazilian star’s contract expires in the summer of 2022 and
PSG tabled a renewal offer for the 29-year-old some time ago.
It remains unsigned and, with the business end of the season
approaching and Mauricio Pochettino’s team facing a Champions League semi-final
with Manchester City, PSG want to hurry Neymar along.
The news makes headlines on the front cover of Spanish newspaper
Diario Sport on Friday, pointing out that if Neymar signs the extension until
2027, all talk over a return to the Nou Camp would be finished.
French paper L’Equipe reported on Thursday that PSG have become
increasingly nervous and are now pressuring Neymar to put pen to paper before
the first leg against City on April 28.
With that two-legged tie to come, plus an interesting finish in
Ligue 1 where PSG trail leaders Lille by three points with six matches to play,
the club want to eliminate all distractions.
But it has been reported that as long as there remains the
possibility of interest from Barcelona, where Neymar played between 2013 and
2017, he will delay.
Source: Daily Mail
Real Madrid ‘not prepared to
sell Martin Odegaard’
Real Madrid reportedly have no
intention of selling Martin Odegaard during the summer transfer window.
Having failed to make an impact during the first half of the
season, Odegaard was allowed to link up with Arsenal for the remainder of the
campaign.
The Norway international has impressed during his 13 appearances
for the Gunners, leading to speculation regarding a permanent switch to the
Emirates Stadium..However, according to Marca, Los Blancos have no desire to
cash in on the 22-year-old later in 2021.
The report suggests that the playmaker features in the club’s
long-term plans alongside Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo Goes.
Odegaard has just over two years remaining on his contract at
the Bernabeu.
Source: Sportsmole
Man United handed boost as
summer target’s release clause reported
Manchester United have been handed a
boost in their pursuit of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva.
Since rejoining Eintracht last summer following his loan spell
with AC Milan, the talented striker has been in remarkable form.
After featuring in 29 matches, so far this season, Silva has
already racked up a monumental 24 goals and nine assists, in all competitions.
The striker’s incredible purple patch has seen him linked with a
big move, particularly to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United.
Although the Red Devils’ interest, at this stage, is relatively
unknown, it wouldn’t be such a stretch to imagine they’re taking a close look
at the Portuguese forward, especially with how uncertain their current
striker’s futures are.
Edinson Cavani’s Old Trafford future remains up in the air and
backup striker Anthony Martial hasn’t had his shooting boots on for quite some
time – the club could very well turn their attention to a new striker once the
summer window opens.
It was previously speculated how much Silva may be available for
– according to a recent report from Sport1 chief reporter Patrick Berger, the
prolific marksman has a minimum release clause of just £26m (€30m).
Source: Caughtoffside
Tuchel wants Mbappe over Erling
Haaland at Chelsea
According to transfer
news from Express, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel would prefer two other
strikers over Erling Haaland. The German manager would rather sign Kylian
Mbappe or Romelu Lukaku instead of Haaland.
The Blues have shown tremendous interest in the player along
with the rest of the elite European clubs, meaning that they will have to stump
up heavy cash to land him.
The Norwegian is arguably the hottest prospect in the world
right now and has impressed heavily at Borussia Dortmund. Europe’s biggest
clubs are now circling around him over a summer deal.
He does have a release clause that gets activated in the summer
of 2022 but a host of clubs want a deal this year itself, none more than
Chelsea, who have a striker problem on their hands.
Timo Werner has struggled to find goals, Tammy Abraham cannot
seem to get a game, and Giroud is on the wrong side of 30.
Chelsea are hence looking for a striker and Haaland is someone
they want. However, manager Thomas Tuchel would actually prefer to sign either
Lukaku or Mbappe instead.
Source: Express UK
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