European Transfer News: Man U signs Valencia, Man City target Eto’o, and Chelsea set to sign Turnbull

Here’s the latest European Transfer News, including Manchester United signing Valencia, Man City still aiming for Eto’, and Chelsea looking to sign Turnbull.

Manchester United sign Antonio Valencia - Manchester United have wrapped up the signing of Antonio Valencia from Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee.

Valencia has been a long-term target for the Premier League champions and has agreed a four-year contract at Old Trafford.

The Ecuador international becomes United’s first signing of the summer as Sir Alex Fergusonlooks to reinvest the £80million raised by the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

Reports have put the fee in the region of £18million and Ferguson is looking forward to the 23-year-old making an impact with the Red Devils next season.

Ferguson told the club’s official website: “Antonio is a player we have admired for some time now, having spent the last two years in the Premier League with Wigan.

“I am sure his pace and ability will make a significant contribution to the team.”

Thrilled

Valencia is expected to be a direct replacement for Ronaldo on the right-hand side and he had also been tracked by Spanish giants Real.

However, after finalising his move to United, the former Villarreal winger revealed it is a ‘dream come true’ to be linking up with the champions.

“Joining Manchester United is a dream come true for me,” said Valencia.

“I have enjoyed my time at Wigan, but I am thrilled to have the chance to challenge for the biggest honours in club football here.

“Playing in front of 76,000 fans alongside players like Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand andRyan Giggs will be an amazing experience. I can’t wait to get started.” – SkySports.com - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5408310,00.html

Manchester City target Eto’o - Samuel Eto’o could still become a Manchester City player this summer despite being offered a new two-year deal by Barcelona.

The Cameroon international striker is keen to stay at Camp Nou but his agent, Josep Maria Mesalles, has become angered by the European champions’ handling of the situation.

Barca president Joan Laporta admitted on Sunday night that City had made a ‘stratospheric offer’ to take Eto’o to Eastlands.

Mesalles claims Barca have told him that his client is surplus to requirements despite playing a key role in their treble success last term, and has questioned the motives of their latest contract offer.

Unrealistic

He said: “We have had two meetings with the club and they have told us both times that Samuel is not in their plans for next season.

“I don’t know if they made the offer because they want him to stay or because they want to make money.

“They want 30 to 35 million euros from his sale and that is unrealistic – he has one year left on his contract and they are asking for too much, especially in a year when he would play the African Cup of Nations and then the World Cupin the summer.”

Mesalles is confident a fee could be agreed with City, who have proved that money is no object in the transfer market, having already shelled out a reported £18million to bring in Roque Santa Cruz from Blackburn.

“Samuel is very disappointed with Barcelona,” Mesalles continued.

Good option

“If we find out for sure that they don’t want him, then we will do our best to find him another club and Manchester City would be a good option.

“There are only about six or seven clubs out there who could afford Samuel, but Manchester City is one and they are a serious club.”

Eto’o has won three league titles and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona, and his priority would be to play in Europe’s premier club competition next season, Mesalles revealed.

But he claims City’s absence from Europe would not deter his client from a move to Eastlands.

“In theory he wants to play in the Champions League, but if Manchester City have an offer accepted, we would be delighted to go there,” he said. – SkySports.com - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5408429,00.html

Chelsea to sign Turnbull - Chelsea are reportedly ready to make a shock swoop for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, who is available on a free transfer.

Turnbull rejected an offer of a new deal at ‘Boro and is set to sign alongside Russian star Yuri Zhirkov and Manchester City’sDaniel Sturridge, though a tribunal will need to set the fee for the young City striker after the clubs failed to compromise over the compensation due.

Middlesbrough confirmed Turnbull would be leaving the club last month, with Boro chief executive Keith Lamb claiming the 24-year-old wanted to leave in order to play regular first-team football.

“Ross has written and told us that he’s rejected our contract offers and he will be free from the end of June to join whichever club he chooses,” Lamb told the club’s official website. “We didn’t want Ross to leave, we’ve been negotiating with him and his agent for the last eight months. We felt he had a future at Middlesbrough and we made him a number of offers over the last 12 months.

“They were exceptional offers for a goalkeeper who has played less than 30 games for Middlesbrough’s first team. Each one was rejected by Ross and his advisors and consequently he has now informed us that it is his intention to pursue his career elsewhere.

“The reason Ross consistently gave us (for not signing) was that he wanted to play regular first-team football.

“I assume Ross will be going to a club where he will get regular first-team football. But we don’t know who that club will be, time alone will tell. We wish him well and hope it works out for him.”

If Turnbull does sign for Chelsea he will play as reserve to established number one Petr Cech, while the future of Portuguese keeper Henrique Hilario now looks unsure. – ESPNSoccernet.com - http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=658242&sec=transfers&cc=5901

Share and Enjoy