West Ham United confirmed yesterday that they’ve reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen to sign former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez. The Premier League side have been chasing the 29-year-old throughout the summer, and they’ve now agreed a fee of around £16mn ($20.8mn, 17.9mn euros) with the Bundesliga club to bring Mexico’s record goalscorer to London Stadium. The former Manchester United frontman — widely known by the nickname Chicharito — will fly to London in the coming days for a medical and to discuss personal terms ahead of his anticipated return to English football.
Hernandez spent four seasons with United, where he scored 59 goals in 156 appearances, before going on loan to Real Madrid in the 2014/15 campaign. The two-time Premier League winner left Old Trafford in August 2015 for Germany, where he’s been even more prolific, netting 39 times in 76 matches for Leverkusen. The Hammers look set to make it three major signings in a week after bringing in goalkeeper Joe Hart on loan, while forward Marko Arnautovic is due to complete his move from Stoke City once he passes a medical.
Celtic’s Griffiths banned for fan provocation
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has been banned by UEFA for his side’s Champions League third round first-leg qualifier against Rosenborg next week. The Scotland international was issued with a one-match European ban yesterday for “provoking spectators” at the end of Celtic’s 2-0 second round first-leg win over Linfield last Friday.
The 26-year-old tied a Celtic scarf to a post at Belfast’s Windsor Park and UEFA have upheld their decision to punish the striker. The 1967 European Cup winners have been fined 4,500 euros ($5,235) for Griffiths’ actions and also for picking up five bookings in the match.
The Scottish champions also face three separate charges by UEFA after beating the Northern Irish side 4-0 in the return leg at Celtic Park on Wednesday. Celtic supporters unfurled an alleged “illicit banner” while the Glasgow club are also being charged for “kit infringement” and “blocked stairways”.
Spartak Moscow, Dynamo Moscow fined for fan racism
Russian Premier League champions Spartak Moscow and rivals Dynamo Moscow have each been fined 250,000 roubles ($4,250) over fans’ racist behaviour, the Russian Football Union (RFU) said. In a statement, the RFU said both clubs could face harsher sanctions in the event of further incidents. Russia has pledged to crack down on racism and fan violence as the country faces increased scrutiny before it hosts the World Cup finals next summer.
Russian media said Spartak fans had directed a racist chant at Lokomotiv Moscow’s Brazilian-born goalkeeper Guilherme during their club’s 2-1 win in the Russian Super Cup last week. Guilherme was granted Russian citizenship in 2015 and was named in the country’s squad for last month’s Confederations Cup. Russia received praise from world football governing body FIFA over its trouble-free hosting last month of the eight-nation Confederations Cup, a two-week tournament.
However, the country still faces a challenge in convincing the football community that it has eradicated racism and violence fully from the stands, as incidents have continued at club level.
Stadiums late for Atletico and Villarreal
Atletico Madrid and Villarreal will play their first two Spanish Liga games away from home to give them more time to finish building work on their stadiums, the Spanish league said. La Liga officials said that minor stadium delivery glitches were the cause.
Atletico are moving into their brand new 70,000 capacity Wanda Metropolitano after quitting their creaking and much smaller home since 1966, the Vicente Calderon. Villarreal are finishing off the refurbishment of their main stand.
Real’s Danilo set for Man City move
Manchester City are close to signing Real Madrid full-back Danilo, according to widespread media reports. Pep Guardiola made full-backs his top transfer priority in the close season having released Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, and Brazilian international Danilo is on the verge of joining Kyle Walker as City’s latest recruit in that position.
The deal for the 26-year-old is expected to cost the Premier League side around £26mn, and with Walker signed in a transfer which could rise to £54mn, that would take City’s spending on full-backs alone past the £80mn mark.
Danilo, who joined European champions Real in 2015 from Porto, started just 17 Spanish league games last season with Dani Carvajal often preferred in the right-back role. Chelsea are also believed to be keen on securing the Brazilian’s signature, but City — who are also chasing Monaco full-back Benjamin Mendy — remain favourites to complete a deal.
Brighton make Normann fourth summer signing
Brighton & Hove Albion have brought in Norwegian midfielder Mathias Normann for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club confirmed.
The 21-year-old has signed a three-year deal at the south coast club and leaves Norwegian second division side FK Bodo/Glimt after four years.
Predominantly a central midfielder, Normann has represented his country at various youth levels and is part of Norway’s current under-21 set-up. Normann, who made 42 appearances and struck three goals for FK Bodo/Glimt, is Brighton’s fourth summer signing, following the arrivals of goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, left-back Markus Suttner and midfielder Pascal Gross.
Javier Hernandez
