West Ham United have signed Belgium international Arne Engels from Celtic for a Championship record fee of £22 million as the summer transfer window opens until September 1. The versatile midfielder has joined West Ham on a five-year contract as the East London club attempts an immediate return to the Premier League.
Engels, who was bought by Celtic from German club Augsburg two years ago for half that amount, adds creativity and set-piece delivery to the second-tier outfit. He is not eligible for West Ham's Championship opener against Burnley tomorrow and will have to wait until next weekend's home fixture against Charlton to make his debut.
"It's a really nice project to come into and try to go back to the Premier League. That's the big goal. That’s everybody's goal and it's just up to me to hopefully help the team with it and, together with the supporters, to get some wins. Hopefully, we'll see that it's going to be a good year then and I'm looking forward to the next ones. I'm just looking forward to meeting all the fans at London Stadium. I’m looking forward to this challenging season, but hopefully we can make it a really good one, so let's go for it!" Engels said.
Aston Villa talks for Zion Suzuki
Aston Villa have rekindled talks to sign Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki following the collapse of his move to Paris Saint-Germain. The Japan international had been scheduled to undergo a medical with PSG today, but the transfer fell through after the French club indicated that commission fees demanded by agents were too high.
Aston Villa currently retain Emiliano Martinez as their starting goalkeeper. Martinez was expected to remain at Villa Park following the World Cup, but had attracted interest from Juventus. The Italian side fell short with initial offers for Martinez and have since discussed loan moves for Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham Hotspur and Ederson at Fenerbahce. Villa are also concluding the signing of defender Matteo Ruggeri from Atletico Madrid, while Swedish club Halmstad BK have expressed interest in Villa striker Rory Wilson.
Newcastle United talks for Amar Dedic
Newcastle United are advancing in negotiations to sign Bosnia right-back Amar Dedic from Benfica. Discussions are ongoing over a £30 million fee for the 23-year-old defender, who previously played under coach Matthias Jaissle at RB Salzburg, with all parties hopeful of reaching an agreement.
Newcastle have also considered re-entering the market for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha as they seek midfield reinforcements. Palhinha has drawn interest from both Aston Villa and Benfica, though Bayern Munich are only interested in a permanent sale rather than a loan deal.
Middlesbrough agreement for Ashley Phillips
Tottenham Hotspur defender Ashley Phillips is ready to complete a move to Middlesbrough after a protracted transfer process. The deal was initially delayed last weekend due to concerns over his medical examination, but the two clubs reached an agreement following further tests and discussions. Phillips is scheduled to arrive on Teesside this weekend to finalise his move to the Riverside Stadium as Middlesbrough open their Championship campaign at home against Lincoln City today.
Benfica offer for Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Southampton have rejected a £17.5 million bid from Benfica for defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis. The Portuguese club, managed by Marco Silva, targeted the 24-year-old after initial target Tosin Adarabioyo expressed a desire to stay at Chelsea. Benfica are considering submitting an improved offer for Harwood-Bellis, who is interested in making the move.
Crystal Palace signing of Anan Khalaili
Crystal Palace have completed the £21 million signing of Union Saint-Gilloise full-back Anan Khalaili. The 21-year-old passed his medical with Palace last weekend after an earlier move to Inter Milan collapsed due to a health issue. Khalaili, who has earned 16 caps for Israel, arrives to provide competition for Daniel Munoz at right wing-back.
Colombian international Munoz has two years remaining on his contract, but there is no guarantee the £20 million-rated defender will stay beyond the current window amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Everton. Speaking about his transfer, Khalaili said: "I'm happy to be here, I'm excited, and I can't wait to start. I’ve followed the Premier League. It's a new challenge for me, and I've followed Crystal Palace for a long time. I'm happy to be here."
Nottingham Forest and Hull City moves
Nottingham Forest have completed the transfer of former Fulham goalkeeper Steven Benda. The 27-year-old, who spent loan spells at Feyenoord and Millwall last season, has been signed as a third-choice goalkeeper to replace the departed Angus Gunn.
Hull City have finalized a £3.5 million deal for RB Salzburg's French defensive midfielder Lucas Gourna-Douath. The agreement includes a guaranteed £2.9 million fee, additional add-ons, and a 10 per cent sell-on clause. The 23-year-old signed a five-year contract, becoming Hull's 10th summer signing.
Gourna-Douath said: "I’m really happy because it was such a long journey from the first phone call until I signed. I’m so excited to get started. I’m really happy to have this experience. I got a chance to play in the Champions League, Serie A and Ligue 1. I've learned a lot and I’m really happy to put this experience on the pitch in the Premier League. The Premier League is the dream of all footballers. Now, I have a chance to play in the Premier League, so I am excited to play."
Leeds United fee for Nico Elvedi and Sunderland deal
Leeds United have agreed a fee with Borussia Monchengladbach for central defender Nico Elvedi. The deal is understood to be worth an initial £6.8 million plus add-ons, with Monchengladbach securing a 15 per cent sell-on clause. Elvedi was omitted from Gladbach's squad for a friendly against Aston Villa today, and his arrival at Leeds could allow defender Sebastiaan Bornauw to join Hamburg.
Sunderland have reached a full agreement with Toulouse for 20-year-old full-back Dayann Methalie. The transfer fee is understood to be £26 million including add-ons, and Methalie has agreed to a five-year contract with the club.
Additional transfer developments
Coventry City are set to sign Nigeria international striker Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest, with the forward undergoing a medical on Saturday with the newly-promoted side. Brentford have signed 18-year-old midfielder Darwin Guagua from Independiente del Valle and will send him on loan to Merida. Meanwhile, Udinese, Celtic, and Hamburg are in discussions with Blackburn Rovers regarding goalkeeper Balazs Toth.
Rangers have completed the loan signing of left-back James Penrice from AEK Athens. Watford forward Nestory Irankunda has completed a £17 million transfer to Sporting Lisbon on a five-year contract containing a £68.5 million release clause. Cardiff City have re-signed full-back Calum Scanlon on loan from Liverpool for the season.
Earlier in the week, Djed Spence completed a £30 million transfer to Inter Milan on Friday. Chelsea are awaiting a formal bid for Enzo Fernandez as of Thursday, while Manchester United target Carlos Baleba emerged on Newcastle's radar on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Roy Keane's son-in-law was linked with a move to Portugal, and West Ham expressed interest in free agent Jamie Vardy on Monday.
