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Transfer Roundup: Bayern Munich sign Real Madrid star, Chelsea talent joins Liverpool

The transfer market business is going smooth as clubs make an attempt to bolster their squad with new signings.

Bayern sign red-hot property James Rodriguez

Bayern Munich has signed Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez on a two-year loan from Real Madrid with an option to make the loan permanent. The Bundesliga side says the 25-year-old James will sign his contract once he has successfully completed a medical examination.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says, "signing James Rodriguez was our coach Carlo Ancelotti's biggest wish, following their successful spell working together in Madrid."

James joined Madrid from Monaco after a fine 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he finished as the tournament's top scorer with six goals. He enjoyed his best season at Madrid with 17 goals in 46 competitive games under Ancelotti, but fell somewhat out of favor under his successor Zinedine Zidane. Altogether he made 111 competitive appearances for Madrid, scoring 36 goals and providing 41 assists.

Lyon ink Ajax's Tete in four-year deal

Ajax right-back Kenny Tete joined Lyon in a four-year deal worth four million euros ($4.5m), the Ligue 1 outfit announced Monday. "It's a real opportunity for us," said Lyon coach Bruno Genesio.

"The position of full-back has evolved a lot in recent seasons. You are asked to attack, to defend well, and to run fast and long. Kenny has this profile and we jumped at this opportunity.

"It was not easy because there was a lot of competition to sign him. Lyon is a great club with a history," said Tete. "It's important for me to link up again with Bertrand Traore, who played down the right with me at Ajax."

The 21-year-old defender, who has six caps for the Dutch national team, added: "I didn't have a great year last season at Ajax, because of the manager's choices, but I always remained positive and that's a good attitude to take to Lyon.

"The little I played was enough to convince Lyon to sign me." Club president Jean-Michel Aulas and Genesio also confirmed they are targeting a central defender to strengthen Lyon's squad.

Romelu Lukaku reunites with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United

Manchester United has completed the signing of Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku from Everton on a five-year contract, strengthening the team's attack following the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

United said on Monday that the 24-year-old Lukaku has an option for an extra year, after he underwent a medical examination while in the United States. He will join the team in Los Angeles for preseason training.

A fee wasn't mentioned, but it's believed to be 75 million pounds ($97 million). He is the second most expensive player in United's history after close friend Paul Pogba, who joined last offseason for $116 million, and the club's second signing of the summer after center back Victor Lindelof.

English Premier League champion Chelsea has also reportedly been trying to re-sign Lukaku in this summer transfer window. Lukaku was the second highest scorer in the Premier League last season, netting 25 goals as Everton finished seventh in the standings. United was a place higher but qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

Schalke signs highly rated French U20 midfielder Amine Harit

Schalke has signed highly rated French Under-20 midfielder Amine Harit from Nantes in a deal reportedly worth up to 10 million euros ($11.4 million).
The Bundesliga club says the 20-year-old Harit has signed a four-year deal.

Schalke coach Domenico Tedesco says, "Amine is a technically experienced player with strong dribbling skills who is also good in defense. He often looks for offensive solutions and can therefore make the difference."
Kicker magazine reports Schalke is initially paying 8 million euros ($9.1 million) for Harit, rising depending on bonus payments.

Harit played in 30 league games for Nantes last season, his first with the senior side after coming through the youth ranks. He won the Under-19 European Championship with France last year, when he was named among the players of the tournament.

Newly-promoted Verona rope in Cassano and Cerci

Newly promoted Serie A side Verona signed former Italian international forward Antonio Cassano and Alessio Cerci from Atletico Madrid, the club announced on Monday. The 35-year-old Cassano, who last played for Italy in 2014, was released by Sampdoria last January and hasn't played professionally since.

Verona finished second in Serie B last term to win back promotion to the top flight after just one year in the second tier. Cassano, who first came to prominence with Roma before spells with Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan, scored 10 goals in 39 international appearances.

Guido Pizarro replaces Iborra at Sevilla

La Liga outfit Sevilla have completed the signing of midfielder Guido Pizarro from Tigres UANL for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old Argentine international has signed a four-year-deal with the club after passing a medical.

With former captain Vincente Iborra departing to England to join Leicester City last week, Guido is set to replace Iborra and becomes Sevilla’s second summer signing after Ever Banega.

Hertha Berlin sign Germand legend Klinsmann’s son

Hertha Berlin has signed Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of former United States coach and Germany striker Juergen Klinsmann, after he impressed during his trial with the Bundesliga club.

Hertha says the 20-year-old Klinsmann, a goalkeeper with the United States Under-20s team, has achieved his goal of earning a contract. The club does not disclose the length of the deal.

General manager Michael Preetz says, "Jonathan convinced us with his ability, charisma and ambition. He'll now settle with us and develop step by step." Despite being a goalkeeper, Klinsmann impressed with a volleyed goal in his first training session with Hertha, and he immediately earned praise from coach Pal Dardai for making a "good impression." The 1.94-meter tall Klinsmann was last playing for the University of California.

Liverpool complete Solanke signing from Chelsea

Teenage striker Dominic Solanke, capped for England at the recent Under-20 World Cup, signed for Liverpool from Premier League champions Chelsea on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old forward scored four goals in England's Under 20 campaign which saw them beat Venezuela in June's final and win their first global trophy since the senior team in 1966.

"It feels amazing and everyone has made me feel welcome already," said Solanke. "Even just pulling on the training top, I was over the moon. Hopefully I can put on the shirt in the near future and make some history here."

He could cost Liverpool around ?3 million ($3.8m, 3.4m euros) according to the BBC but that will be decided by a tribunal because although his contract with Chelsea has expired, the club are due a fee for nurturing his talent and because he is under 24.

Solanke, who played just once for Chelsea coming on as a substitute in a 2014 Champions League match, has senior level experience having spent the 2015/16 season out on loan in the Netherlands with Vitesse Arnhem where he scored seven times in 25 appearances.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle with agency inputs )
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