Chelsea Acquire Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion

Robert Sanchez is switching sides…

Chelsea has agreed on a fee in the region of £25 million ($31.7m) for the 25-year-old Spanish professional soccer player and Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper, according to ESPN.

Robert SanchezChelsea returned from their preseason tour to the United States on Thursday and Sanchez is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days ahead of a move all parties hope will be completed in time to start the Premier League season at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea had been looking for a goalkeeper to rival Kepa Arrizabalaga for the No. 1 shirt after Edouard Mendy left the club in June to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli.

Sanchez was omitted from Brighton’s U.S. tour amid uncertainty over his future after losing his place to Jason Steele towards the end of last season.

Brighton have already signed Netherlands Under-21 goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht as a replacement for Sanchez.

Sanchez played 25 times for Brighton last season and kept six clean sheets.

Meanwhile, the two clubs are continuing to negotiate a deal for Moises Caicedo as Chelsea pursue their top midfield target.

Brighton value Caicedo in excess of £100m but Chelsea’s latest bid totaled £80m and was immediately rejected when tabled last week.

Fabinho Joins Saudi Pro League’s Al-Ittihad from Liverpool

Fabinho is headed to the Middle East.

The Brazil midfielder has joined Al-Ittihad from Liverpool on a three-year deal, the Saudi club announced on Monday.

FabinhoFinancial details were not disclosed, but British media reported the Saudi Pro League champions paid £40 million ($51.33 million) for Fabinho.

Al-Ittihad posted a video on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, with the title “Tigers are permitted to pass” in reference to media reports suggesting the deal might be delayed due to the breed of Fabinho’s dogs which are prohibited from entering Saudi Arabia.

The video featured the Brazilian midfielder holding a tiger and saying: “I’m Tiger.”

“Today I leave my home. It’s been five years wearing this jersey and always with the greatest honour and happiness possible. I love this club. Thank you, Reds, for everything we’ve experienced together. You will never walk alone,” Fabinho wrote on X.

Fabinho will join Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante at the Jeddah-based club.

The Brazil international made 219 appearances for Liverpool since his arrival in 2018, and helped the team to the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Super Cup titles.

Fabinho was not always a regular for Liverpool last season after a loss of form. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has overhauled his midfield by signing Argentina’s Alexis Mac Allister and Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai, and the club is now searching for a holding midfielder to replace Fabinho.

The Saudi Pro League has become an attractive destination for high-profile players since Cristiano Ronaldo moved to Al-Nassr last January in a deal reported to be worth around $220 million per year.

David Silva Announces Retirement Following Knee Injury

David Silva is saying farewell to the game…

The 37-year-old Spanish professional footballer and Manchester City legend  has announced his retirement from professional football, days after suffering a knee injury.

David SilvaSilva had planned to continue his career at Real Sociedad but an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury picked up in preseason threatened to keep him out for most of next season and pushed him to change his plans.

“Today is a sad day for me,” Silva said in a video message posted to social media. “Today is a time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to. I’m going to miss you. Thank you for making me feel at home.”

Silva began his career at Valencia, where he made 168 appearances and lifted the Spanish Cup, but his prime came at Manchester City, who he joined in 2010 and went on to become a club legend.

The creative midfielder was a crucial part of the Manchester City side that lifted the club’s first 2011-12 Premier League title on the final day of the season. He won three further Premier League titles at City, the final two coming under Pep Guardiola.

A statue of Silva now stands outside the club’s Etihad Stadium alongside former teammates Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero.

Silva left City in 2020 after making 436 appearances and returned to LaLiga in a move to Real Sociedad, again winning the Spanish Cup.

At international level, he played a part in the legendary Spain squad that won the 2010 World Cup, as well as back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Pau Torres Leaving Hometown Club Villarreal for Premier League’s Aston Villa

Pau Torres is ready to Aston-ish

Aston Villa has signed the 26-year-old Spanish professional soccer player from Villarreal for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.

Pau TorresTorres had a reported release clause of €70 million ($77.8m) but with the centerback having only a year left on his contract with Villarreal, the English side agreed a fee in the region of €36.7 million ($40.8m).

“The 26-year-old defender, who has been capped on 23 occasions for his country, arrives at Villa for an undisclosed fee,” Villa said in a statement.

“A native of Villarreal, Torres came through the ranks of his hometown club and went on to become a key player for the LaLiga side.”

Torres won the Europa League with Villarreal under current Villa boss Unai Emery when they beat Manchester United in the 2021 final.

Villa have been looking to add experience to their squad ahead of their Europa Conference League campaign and Torres is the club’s second signing of the transfer window, following the arrival of midfielder Youri Tielemans from Leicester City earlier this week.

David de Gea Announces Plans to Leave Manchester United This Summer

David de Gea is ready for his next chapter…

The 32-year-old Spanish professional footballer has announced he’s leaving Manchester United this summer, saying that now’s the right time to undertake a new challenge in his career.

David de GeaThe goalkeeper failed to agree to terms on a new contract to extend his stay at Old Trafford and will leave the club 12 years after joining from Atletico Madrid in 2011. 

De Gea was close to signing a new deal, only for talks to collapse at the end of season. Sources have told ESPN that United are in negotiations with Inter Milan for the transfer of Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana.

“I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters,” De Gea wrote on social media on Saturday.

“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.

“I took incredible pride everytime I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestowed upon a few lucky footballers.

“It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together.

“Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.

“Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all.”

De Gea made 545 appearances for United — seventh on the club’s all-time list — and was part of the team that won the 2012-13 Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson. He also won the FA Cup in 2016, the Carabao Cup in 2017 and 2023 as well as the Europa League in 2017.

In a club statement released on Saturday shortly after De Gea’s announcement, manager Erik ten Hag said: “It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United.

“To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight. To have won player of the year awards from both the fans and his teammates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club.

“I am personally grateful for the 25 clean sheets he helped provide last season and his overall contribution on the pitch during my first year at the club.

“All the players and staff send him our very best wishes for the next phase of his outstanding career.”

Roberto Firmino Agrees to Three-Year Deal with Saudi Arabian Club Al Ahli 

Roberto Firmino is headed to the Middle East… 

The 31-year-old Brazilian professional footballer has joined Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli as a free agent after his contract at Liverpool expired at the end of last season, it was announced Tuesday.

Roberto FirminoFirmino, a forward, has agreed a three-year deal with the Saudi team and joins former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy at the Jeddah-based club.

The Brazil forward spent eight years at Anfield, scoring scoring 110 goals in 361 games.

Firmino won seven trophies with Liverpool including the Champions League in 2019 and the club’s first-ever Premier League title in 2020.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia have pursued an aggressive recruitment strategy in recent months, persuading some of the sport’s biggest names to sign lucrative deals with teams in the country — Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in January and Karim Benzema left Real Madrid for Al Ittihad earlier this month.

Al Ahli won the Saudi First Division League title last season to achieve promotion back to the Saudi Pro League for the 2023-24 campaign.

Rafa Benitez Reaches Preliminary Agreement to Coach LaLiga Side Celta Vigo

Rafa Benitez is preparing for a homecoming of sorts…

The 63-year-old Spanish professional football manager and former player who most recently managed Premier League club Everton, has reached a preliminary agreement to coach LaLiga side Celta Vigo, the Spanish club has announced.

Rafa Benitez Benitez takes over the vacant coaching position after Carlos Carvalhal left the club earlier this month by mutual consent.

Benitez has agreed a deal that’ll keep him at the club until June 2026.

“Real Club Celta has reached an agreement in principle with Rafa Benítez so that the Madrid-born coach can lead the team in this very special year and two more campaigns,” a club statement said. “Both parties are confident that the signing will take place in July, coinciding with the start of the team’s preseason.”

Benitez had been out of a job since being dismissed by Everton in January 2022 after just six-and-a-half months in charge.

The former Valencia coach is best known in England for guiding Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2005.

He also guided Chelsea to the Europa League crown in 2013 and Newcastle United to promotion to the Premier League in 2017.

Benitez, who won two LaLiga titles and a UEFA Cup with Valencia, has also managed Inter MilanNapoli and Chinese Super League side Dalian Professional.

He last coached in Spain after taking over Real Madrid in the summer of 2015, although the Spanish giants relieved him of his duties six months later.

Benitez inherits a Celta team that was saved from relegation on the final day of the season with a 2-1 win over Barcelona at their Balaidos stadium.

The club finished 13th in the table, three points ahead of relegated Real Valladolid.

The 2023-24 season will revolve around the club’s centenary.

Benitez is unlikely to have Celta star Gabriel Veiga next season.

The Spanish midfielder expected to leave this summer.

A reported target of Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli, Veiga, 21, is under contract until June 2026 but has a €40m release clause that clubs are willing to meet.

Alejandro Garnacho Signs New Long-Term Contract with Manchester United

United Alejandro Garnacho stands…

The 18-year-old Argentine-Spanish professional footballer has committed his long-term future to Manchester United‘s after signing a new contract on Friday.

Alejandro GarnachoGarnacho’s new deal will see him remain at Old Trafford until June 2028.

“When I joined this incredible club, I dreamt of achieving my debut, playing at Old Trafford, scoring my first goal and winning trophies with this badge on my chest,” Garnacho said in a statement.

“I feel very proud and emotional to have experienced these moments already, together with my family who have supported me every step of the way.

“We are all humbled to have this chance to continue our journey at Manchester United and I have already begun to work on achieving the next set of targets and ambitions.

“The manager and his coaching staff have helped me to improve in every way, and with their support, I am developing each day to help the team to be successful.

“I am relishing the future and can’t wait to create more special memories with this group, in front of our amazing supporters.”

Meanwhile, United manager Erik ten Hag said the club will not allow the 18-year-old to miss the end of the domestic season to represent Argentina at the Under-20s World Cup.

Garnacho is thought to have asked to join up with his international teammates for the tournament, which Argentina will host between May 20 and June 11.

Garnacho’s involvement would have meant missing United’s final three Premier League fixtures against BournemouthChelsea and Fulham as well as the FA Cup final against Manchester City on June 3.

Asked whether Garnacho would join up with Argentina’s Under 20s, Ten Hag said: “No, we don’t release him.”

The winger has been sidelined with an ankle problem sustained in United’s 0-0 draw against Southampton on March 12.

Speaking after Thursday’s 2-2 draw at Tottenham, Ten Hag said Garnacho would step up his comeback on Friday.

“He will return tomorrow in team training, partial, and then we have to see when he can return totally in the team training and then back into games,” Ten Hag added.

Garnacho has registered four goals and five assists from 29 appearances across all competitions this season.

Manchester United & David de Gea “Close to Agreeing” to New Contract

David de Gea is thisclose to a United layover…

Manchester United is closing in on an agreement with the 32-year-old Spanish professional footballer over a new contract, according to ESPN.

David De Gea The goalkeeper is approaching the end of his current deal and could leave Old Trafford for free at the end of the season.

United, however, believe they are close to an agreement, which would see De Gea extend his stay while taking a cut in his basic wage but with larger performance-related incentives.

Most of the terms have been finalized although talks are continuing about how the contract is structured.

United also have the option of triggering a one-year extension to his existing deal which is valid until May, but there’s confidence at the club that fresh terms will be in place before that’s necessary.

De Gea has been Erik ten Hag‘s undisputed No.1 since the Dutchman’s arrival last summer, making 47 appearances in all competitions.

He has made more than 500 appearances since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2011. He has won United’s player of the year award four times and lifted the Premier League title, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during his 12 years in England.

Javi Gracia Named New Manager at Leeds United

Javi Gracia is ready to Leed

The 52-year-old Spanish football manager and former player has been appointed by Leeds United as the team’s new manager, according to the club.

Javi GraciaGracia, the former boss at Watford, replaces Jesse Marsch, who was fired on February 6 following seven games without a win in the Premier League.

“Leeds United are delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become men’s first team head coach, subject to obtaining a work permit,” a club statement read.

The club confirmed that the Spaniard has agreed to sign a “flexible contract.”

Leeds, who have since failed to win in three subsequent games under the caretaker charge of Michael Skubala, are now 19th in the table ahead of Saturday’s game against Southampton.

Gracia has been out of work since leaving Al Sadd last year. He has also managed Malaga, Rubin Kazan and Valencia.

During his time at Watford, he led them to the 2019 FA Cup final, which they lost 6-0 to Manchester City.

Carlos Corberan was linked with the position at Leeds before signing a new deal at West Bromwich Albion. The club also had interest in Rayo Vallecano‘s Andoni Iraola and ex-Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder.