Inter Milan and Croatia winger Ivan Perisic has confirmed that he is on the verge of a move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, according to reports in German media. Perisic was spotted in Munich yesterday morning, and reportedly told Bild newspaper that he had undergone a medical check.
According to Bild, Bayern will pay a loan fee of 5mn Euros ($5.6mn) for the 2018 World Cup finalist, with the option to buy him outright for around 20mn Euros at the end of the season. Perisic’s current contract at Inter runs until 2022, but he is reportedly set to play less of a role under new coach Antonio Conte.
At Bayern, he will provide much-needed reinforcement on the wing following the departure of club icons Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery at the end of last season. The German giants had initially targeted Leroy Sane, but turned their attentions to Perisic after the Manchester City winger was confirmed to have torn his anterior cruciate ligament last week, potentially ruling him out until early 2020.
Frankfurt hope striker Rebic will stay
Eintracht Frankfurt are hoping striker Ante Rebic will stay at the club this season after widespread speculation that he could be on his way to Italy, sports director Fredi Bobic said. The 25-year-old Croatia international, who scored a 12-minute hat-trick on Sunday to send his team past Waldhof Mannheim and into the German Cup second round, is the last of a trio of strikers who carried Frankfurt into the Europa League semi-finals last season.
Luka Jovic moved to Real Madrid and Sebastien Haller joined West Ham United in the Premier League and Italian media have reported that Inter and AC Milan were both eager to sign Rebic. “As things stand now I expect that he will stay,” Bobic told Die Welt newspaper yesterday. “We hope and wish that Ante will stay. Until now no single club has come to us and put in a written offer.”
Frankfurt, who play Vaduz in the Europa League’s third qualifying round this week, kick off their new Bundesliga campaign against Hoffenheim on Sunday. The transfer window in Germany shuts on Sept. 2. “Ante knows what he has at Eintracht,” Bobic said. “There is still movement in the market and one cannot predict what can happen.”
Williams signs nine-year deal with Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao striker Inaki Williams has signed a new nine-year contract that will increase his release clause to 135mn euros, the club announced. Williams’ previous release clause had been set at 80mn euros and the 25-year-old was linked with a move to Manchester United during the summer transfer window. “Inaki Williams has prolonged his contract with Athletic Club until June 30, 2028,” read a statement from the club. “His termination clause is set at 135mn.”
The Bilbao-born striker ended a run of 40 league games at home without scoring in January by hitting two against Sevilla at San Mames. He went on to score a career-best 12 goals last season in La Liga. “I’m very happy. It is a pride for me to continue to be tied to this great club that has given me everything,” Williams said.
“Thank you for supporting me, above all for always being with me during the bad times. It’s a day to be happy and hopefully great things will come because what I want is to make this club, if it’s possible, even bigger.” Bilbao play La Liga champions Barcelona at home on Friday in the opening fixture of the season.
Barca goalkeeper Neto to undergo surgery on wrist
Barcelona’s back-up goalkeeper Neto will undergo surgery after injuring his left wrist, the club announced. Neto suffered the injury in training and is unlikely to be fit for Barca’s opening La Liga game away to Athletic Bilbao on Friday.
“Goalkeeper Neto is to undergo surgery this Tuesday on a fractured scaphoid bone in his left hand sustained in training while on the US tour,” a club statement read. “Doctor Xavier Mir will perform the operation in the presence of the Club Medical Services. Afterwards, he will make a statement to explain how the surgery has gone and to offer an approximate recovery date.”
Neto joined Barcelona this summer from Valencia, with fellow goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen leaving Camp Nou and going the other way. Coach Ernesto Valverde is already likely to be without Lionel Messi against Bilbao. Messi missed the friendly win over Napoli on Saturday after sustaining a calf tear in training last week.
Kenya parts company
with head coach Migne
Kenya’s football federation said coach Sebastien Migne was leaving by “mutual consent” eight days after his team were eliminated from qualifying for the 2020 African Nations Championship. Kenya were knocked out of the tournament, for teams made up only of African-based players, on penalties on August 4 after both legs of their first-round tie with neighbours and arch-rivals Tanzania ended goalless.
Frenchman Migne took charge of the Harambee Stars in May 2018 and steered the side to a first African Cup of Nations finals appearance in 15 years. Hampered by injuries to key players, Kenya were eliminated at the group stage despite beating Tanzania, 3-2. “Football Kenya Federation and Harambee Stars head coach Sebastian Migne have agreed to terminate the coach’s contract on mutual consent” said Barry Otieno, the federation’s acting general secretary.
“Consequently, FKF and Migne have agreed on a settlement for the coach, over a period of time.”
Otieno said the reorganisation and appointment for a new coaching team was already underway.
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