As the European transfer windows approach deadlines, teams have been unusually busy making moves to strengthen their squads.
As usual, Ducor Sports is always on hand to take you for a spin through all the done deals involving African players, the latest rumors and gossip making headlines during the week. However, we remind you that if it’s not a done deal, take it with a grain of salt.
Alexander Song.
Starting in Switzerland, former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Alexander Song has joined Swiss club Sion on a free transfer.
The Cameroonian midfielder rose to prominence under Arsene Wenger in the 2008-2009 season prompting Barcelona to make a £ 17million bid for him to join the Catalans. His move materialized but he failed to break into a star studded Barcelona team.
He was sent on loan to West Ham for two years before joining Russian side Rubin Kazan in 2016 on a free transfer after his deal expired. He continuously failed to find form and was once again released from the Russian side after his contract.
Still only 30 years of age, Song who has been a free agent has opted to join the Swiss outfit on a two-year deal after training with them for a few weeks. He still has a lot to offer and the next year could make or break his career.
Wilfried Zaha.
In England, Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha has signed a new long term contract with Crystal Palace amidst persistent transfer speculation.
He was heavily linked with Chelsea, Tottenham and AS Roma throughout the off season but the player who is in the form of his life surprisingly stayed at the Selhurst Park past the deadline day.
The 25-year-old who joined Palace as a 12-year-old has now extended his stay up-to the end of the 2022/23 season.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I’m very pleased. Obliviously I wanted to get this over and done with so that I can focus on the new season. I’m buzzing that I managed to get it sorted.”[/perfectpullquote]
He told Palace TV after signing the contact.
He is currently the club’s joint highest scorer and Crystal Palace fans must be celebrating because the club has managed to tie down the forward.
Stephane Mbiya.
In France, League 1 minnows Toulouse have confirmed signing Cameroonian international Stephane Mbiya from Chinese Super Leagueside Hebei China Fortune.
The 32-year-old Europa League winner spent two years in China but he returns to France where it all started for him. Mbia started his playing career in Rennes before joining Marseille on a two-year deal.
“Am very happy to be returning to League 1.” He announced on his twitter.
Mbia who also played for QPR in England and Sevilla in Spain will be joining Toulouse on a free transfer since he terminated his contract with Hebei Fortune.
Keita Balde.
Moving on to Italy, Italian giants Inter Milan have secured the services of highly rated Senegalese winger Keita Balde on a one-year loan deal with the option to make the move permanent.
The Serie A side paid an initial loan fee of £5 million for the 23-year-old but will have to part with a figure between £40 and £50 million to make the move permanent.
The Barcelona academy product joined the French side a year-ago and scored eight goals in 23 appearances. He made his debut in 2013 and is slowly establishing himself as one of the hottest prospects in Europe.
Percy Tau.
Bafana Bafana playmaker Percy Tau has surprisingly joined Belgium second division side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on loan from Brighton and Hove in what was the shock move of the week.
The 201/17 South African player of the year joined Brighton and Hove from Mamelodi Sundowns this summer but the England PL side decided to first loan him out to get more European football experience.
Despite interest from European giants Monaco, and championship side Leeds united, Brighton opted to send him to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise because both clubs are owned by tycoon Tony Bloom and the later always acts as a feeder club for Brighton.
For Tau, this is a familiar situation, after joining Mamelodi Sundowns, the player was shipped off to South Africa first division side Witbank Spurs to get experience before he dominated the South African PL.
Kenneth Omeru.
In Spain, CD Leganese have reached an agreement for the loan transfer of Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeru with an option to buy him at the end of the season.
The versatile defender has been loaned out by Chelsea on six occasions and a permanent move would give him the much needed stability to focus on his development. He has previously had loan stints with ADO Den Haa, Kasimpasa and Middlesbrough among others.
On the international Level, the defender is well established and was part of Nigeria’s two FIFA World Cups, played in the confederations Cup and was part of the 2013 African Cup of Nations winning team.
He will don the Los Pepieros jersey until the summer of 2019 but Leganese have an option of making the transfer permanent next summer.
Samuel Eto.
In Qatar, Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto has joined Qatar Sports Club, the 13th club in his decorated 21-year professional career.
The three time African player of the year joins fellow legends like ex Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez, and ex Netherlands international Wesley Sneijder in Qatar.
The move was confirmed just days he announced leaving Turkey’s Konyaspor.
Shaban Mohammed.
And finally in Uganda, KCCA’s Shaban Mohammed has completed a $130,000 move to Morocco’s Raja Casablanca after a long period of speculation.
The former Onduparaka forward was also linked with a move to Orlando Pirates but Raja mada an official bid and sealed the transfer earlier this week.
The deal involves a clause that gives KCCA rights an onward 20% his future transfer fee if the player moves to another club.
The Rumors making Rounds.
Mohammed Elneny.
Arsenal and Egyptian midfielder Mohammed Elneny could be forced to move to French side Marseille as the gunners try to cut down their wage bill.
The 26-year-old appears to have fallen out of favor at the Emirates since the arrival of Unai Emery and impressive performances from Mateo Guendouzi and Lucas Toreira in the middle of the park make matters worse.
His contract will expire in 2020 but the move could be necessary if he’s to get more game time and continue his impressive progress.
Marseille view Elneny as a perfect if not better replacement for Zambo Anguissa who left for Fulham last week. He has previously turned down moves and believes in earning his spot but with this level of competition, there’s definitely a high possibility Elneny might be on his way out.
Yannick Bolassie.
Championship side Middlesbrough reportedly want to sign Yannick Bolasie on loan from Everton to help strengthen their squad as they try to earn a promotion spot.
The lightning fast winger has proved himself in the premier league but injuries have affected his career at Everton. Bolasie will struggle to nail down a starting spot in Everton which might prompt him to move.
Serge Aurier.
Reports coming in suggest that Atletico Madrid made an approach for Ivorian right back Serge Aurier before settling for Santiago Arias from PSV.
French Outlet RMC claims that Tottenham had told the player he’s free to leave but the deal didn’t materialize despite the player wanting to switch.
The report suggests that several meetings were held with the club but the deal finally collapsed. Despite Atletico moving on, Borrusia Dortmund have retained interest and hope they can convince the former PSG player to move to Germany.
