It has been an exciting transfer window for African players with plenty of comings and goings.
For the first time in a long time, African players are in demand since the African Cup of Nations shifted so as not to collide with major European leagues.
With a fortnight left for domestic seasons in Europe to kick off, Ducor Sports takes you through the latest done deals, transfer rumours and gossip making the headlines.
The Done Deals
Starting in England, Brighton and Hove Albion have finally confirmed the signing of South African Player of the Year, Percy Tau, from Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 24-year-old commits to Brighton in a four-year deal to become the side’s seventh signing this summer.
Brighton’s manager Chris Hugton was delighted the side beat off competition from other European sides to get the playmaker’s signature, but he will be loaned out for the first half of the season to “get some experience in European football.”
Prince Oniangue
Congolese International Prince Oniangue has left English side Wolves for Caen on a permanent deal.
The 29-year-old struggled to secure a starting berth since joining from French side Riems in August 2016. He made only 11 appearances in the first half of the 2016-17 championship season before he was loaned out to Bastia for the remainder of the campaign.
He was also offloaded to Angers in January 2018 where he played 15 times finding the back of the net once.
Jeremie Boga
Chelsea youngster and Ivory Coast international Jeremie Boga has completed a permanent switch to Italian outfit Sassuolo in a reported £3.5 million deal.
The 21-year-old managed only one first team appearance since moving from French side Marseille in 2009. He was sent on loan spells at Rennes and Granada
The Rumours Making Headlines
Yaya Toure
English Premier League outfit Crystal Palace are monitoring Ivory Coast and Manchester City playmaker Yaya Toure who left Pep Guadiola’s side at the end of last season.
The Eagles are willing to offer him £100,000 per week to lure him to Selhurst Park even though the player claimed he wouldn’t mind taking just £1 a week to stay in the Premier League.
He endured a campaign to forget last season under Pep and is willing to take a massive pay cut to prove the Citizen’s boss wrong.
Mario Lemina
According to Sky Sports, West Ham have now shifted focus to former Juventus midfielder Mario Lemina as a potential replacement for Pedro Obiang.
The Hammers are in advanced talks to sell Obiang to his former side Sampdoria for a reported £8.9 million and would need a replacement for the central defensive position role.
The Gabon international joined Southampton last season for £17 million. West Ham, who have already spend £42 million on Filipe Anderson would have to part with more than £20 million, to get his services.
The deal would take West Ham to ten completed transfers this summer, spending over £100 million, which is a club record.
Kalidou Koulibaly
According to multiple sources, Napoli have reportedly turned down a £100 million offer for Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly from an English Premier League side.
The defender has been on high demand with Chelsea showing the strongest interest but the Blues were blocked following the capture of former Napoli Coach Maurizio Sazi and midfielder Jorginho.
That leaves only one English club with the resources to make such an offer. A clear guess would be an offer from Manchester United, considering they are still in the market for a defender, and have the financial muscle to pull off such a coup.
Chuba Akpom
Arsenal’s 22-year-old striker Chuba Akpom is set to join Belgian top-flight side St-Truiden in a deal worth £2 million.
He has been on the side-lines since making his debut in 2013 but hopes a permanent move away from the gunners might be the inspiration he needs to make his mark.
One of the five players Unai Emery deemed surplus requirements, he was consequently left out of the Singapore-bound pre-season squad list.
Ismaila Sar
According to the player’s agent, Barcelona and Juventus have already registered their interest in Senegal’s World Cup star Ismaila Sar.
The 20-year-old’s performances in Russia have put many European giants on high alert with top scouts already enquiring about his availability this summer.
Samassekou Diadie
Olympic Lyon are reportedly monitoring Mali international Samassekou Diadie over a potential summer move.
The Red Bull Salzburg midfielder has been a revelation in Austria and inspired his side to a Europa semi-final last season.
He will be a great addition for The Kids and at 22, he is still improving and will easily compete with the world’s best.
