Transfer round-up: Champions Leicester boost ranks, Zinchenko joins City and Nani on the move
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Coral’s tasty transfer round-up
The summer transfer window may have only been open a few days, but there has already been an abundance of deals confirmed in a short space of time across Europe, and especially from Premier League clubs ahead of the 2016/17 season.
Happy man after training! #ItBegins #mcfc pic.twitter.com/mmccm9waHw
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 5, 2016
Euro 2016 has also reached the semi-final stage in France, with many of the continent’s most exciting and talented stars playing themselves into the shop window with impressive performances in what has been an entertaining tournament so far.
So, keep up to date on all the latest movers and shakers as we round up the most recent transfers to have taken place across Europe…
Champions Leicester make new acquisitions
It will be extremely difficult for Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City to reach the same dizzy heights as they did last term, when they clinched a truly historic top-flight title triumph, but the Italian boss is going the right way about things by strengthening all in all departments.
Welcome to Leicester, Nampalys 'Papy' Mendy!
— Leicester City (@LCFC) July 3, 2016
First of all, the former Chelsea coach snapped up experienced World Cup winning German goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler from Bundesliga outfit Hannover 96 for an undisclosed fee, giving Kasper Schmeichel competition for the number one jersey.
Luis Hernandez also arrived from Sporting Gijon on a free transfer, while Raul Uche Rubio and Nampalys Mendy were signed from Rayo Vallecano and Nice respectively, handing Leicester a significant boost to their already astute ranks.
Next term, the Foxes have been installed at 28/1 with Coral to remarkably retain their top-flight crown and keep it at the King Power Stadium. Their odds may be a substantial drop from the 5000/1 offered at the beginning of the term gone by but, with their latest recruits on board, such a price is still worth taking.
The champions have also already agreed a deal for CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa, with the attacker set to arrive for around £16.5 and give England international Jamie Vardy a new strike partner.
Palace pounce for target Tomkins
Crystal Palace have also been busy in the market, having secured the signings of Andros Townsend from Newcastle United and Steve Mandanda from Marseille, but Alan Pardew has shored up his rearguard further after landing centre back James Tomkins.
.@TomkinsOfficial #WelcomeJames pic.twitter.com/7OsnDooPQR
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 5, 2016
The 27-year-old defender agreed a five-year deal at Selhurst Park upon arriving from West Ham United for £10m, and will bring a wealth of stability at the back for the Eagles, who struggled domestically late on last term, but managed to reach the FA Cup final.
Speaking after his latest career switch, Tomkins stated: “I am really excited to be joining Crystal Palace, a massive club and a manager in Alan Pardew that I know well and will always be thankful for how he helped me develop in my younger days at Upton Park.”
Zinchenko joins Guardiola’s City revolution
Manchester City are entering a new era after former Barcelona and Bayern Munich tactician Pep Guardiola officially took charge recently, and his latest acquisition was that of Ukraine international midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Manchester City are pleased to announce the transfer of Ukrainian midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko from FC Ufa. pic.twitter.com/9r2T0a0a0w
— Manchester City (@ManCity) July 4, 2016
The 19-year-old arrives with a big reputation and follows both German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Spain international forward Nolito to the Etihad, after what has been a busy few days for the Sky Blues.
Man City are seen as 9/4 favourites to reign supreme in the Premier League next term following such promising signings and a regarded manager, though Zinchenko will have plenty of competition for places at his new club, with Guardiola having claimed that nobody is guaranteed a starting spot.
Their new teenage talent became his nation’s youngest ever goalscorer last year and featured at Euro 2016, as they crashed out of the France finals in the group stage.
Boro bag De Roon from Atalanta
After securing their return to the Premier League via Championship promotion last term, Middlesbrough have moved swiftly to acquire a new midfielder, with The Riverside club snapping up Dutchman Marten de Roon from Serie A side Atalanta.
Really happy with my transfer to Middlesbrough! Let's make a good season in the Premier League. Come on The Boro! pic.twitter.com/jQtMvC3s3F
— Marten de Roon (@Dirono) July 4, 2016
The 25-year-old scored just one in 36 Italian top tier outings last season and arrives on Teesside as part of a £12m switch, with the midfield anchorman becoming Boro’s third summer signing.
De Roon joins defender Bernardo Espinosa and promising Denmark winger Viktor Fischer, who arrived from Ajax with a huge reputation, during this summer transfer window.
Aitor Karanka will hope his new arrivals can bolster his side’s chances of remaining in the top-flight next season, with the Premier League new boys held at 13/10 to face an immediate return to the Championship in 2017.
Portugal Euro 2016 star Nani on the move
One player that has enjoyed a sublime tournament across the Channel is Portugal wideman Nani, and his star showings, which have even outshone Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo at times, have earned him a switch from Fenerbahce to Valencia.
#BienvenidoNani pic.twitter.com/dXI2efonL7
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) July 5, 2016
The new Los Che winger has struck twice in France and will be part of the side to face Home Nation Wales in their semi-final encounter, with his impressive wingplay and eye for a crucial goal set to set La Liga alight next term.
Having learned his trade with Sporting Lisbon before joining Manchester United, Nani now arrives at a club where he can finally settle down and showcase the skills and talents that have made him one of the stars of Euro 2016 this summer.
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