First transfer window explained
This unusual two-part summer transfer window has seen its first half come to an end.
The reason this year’s summer market is different is the revamped Club World Cup, which will begin this coming Sunday.
To accommodate clubs wanting to sign players ahead of the controversial tournament, the transfer window opened early on June 1.
But due to FIFA’s rules stipulating the transfer windows in a calendar year when combined cannot be greater than 16 weeks, a break had to be inserted – therefore the first window closed tonight at 7pm BST.
The initial 10-day period applied only to the 20 national associations with teams playing in the Club World Cup to allow them to register players for the group stages of the competition.
That includes England, with Manchester City and Chelsea set to compete in the tournament.
The summer transfer window reopens on June 16 and will remain open until September 1.
Teams participating in the Club World Cup who sign players from this date can register them for the knockout stages of the competition.
Cherki deal sealed
Manchester City announced the signing of Rayan Cherki from Lyon in a £34m deal.
Cherki put pen to paper on a five-year contract and will play for City in the Club World Cup.
This is a dream for me. Honestly, to be joining a club like Manchester City and have the opportunity to make the next step in my career here is something very, very special.
I have worked so hard for this all my life. I love this sport, and I can’t wait to develop further here in Manchester with Pep and his backroom staff.
Everyone knows how good City are – they have been so successful for many years now. The responsibility to help the team continue winning is something I want to embrace.
I would only leave Lyon for a project I really believe in and everything at City suggests I can develop my game and help the team be successful in the future. I can’t wait to show City fans what I can do.
Rayan Cherki
Summer transfer window shut
The first period of the summer transfer window has officially closed!
Any incomplete signings will have to wait until June 16 unless clubs submitted a deal sheet two hours before the deadline.
Man City spending spree
Manchester City have hit the ground running in the first half of the summer transfer window.
Rayan Cherki joined City, who paid around £30million up front with a further £5m in add-ons if he proves to be a success.
Cherki follows full-back Rayan Ait Nouri – who moved from Wolves to the Etihad for £31m – on Monday and reserve keeper Marcus Bettinelli.
Meanwhile Tijjani Reijnders’ £46m switch from Milan kicked off the Citizens’ summer spree and will be announced on Wednesday.
The deal was all agreed ahead of transfer deadline but he was on international duty with the Netherlands.
That will take manager Pep Guardiola’s spending to around £107m so far this summer.
Brighton signing wonderkid
Brighton are set to land Olympiacos wonderkid Babis Kostoulas on Wednesday.
SunSport understand Kostoulas, 18, is expected to undergo a medical tomorrow amid his imminent arrival to the UK today.
According to Sky Sports, the deal is expected to cost £34million, which poses as a record for a Greek player.
The Seagulls won the bidding war for the forward, who was also targeted by Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and AC Milan.
Jobe Bellingham fee
Borussia Dortmund have signed Jobe Bellingham from Sunderland.
Bellingham will cost an initial £27.8million but the fee could rise to a club-record £32m depending on appearances and performance levels.
That would eclipse Ousmane Dembele’s fee when he joined Dortmund from Rennes back in 2016.
The midfielder is expected to withdraw from England’s Under-21s squad for the Euros later this month so he can play at the Club World Cup for BVB.
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