Ducor Sports Transfer Round Up –A Look into the Thrills and Spills Involving Africans on Deadline Day

Transfer News continue to come in fast and with the yesterday’s English transfer deadline, teams have been unusually busy.

For the first time in the league’s history, the transfer window was closed off before the beginning on the new season. In an FA meeting held towards the end of last season, English clubs voted in favor of pulling the transfer deadline to a day before the kick off of the premier league instead of the usual August 31 st.

The clubs must be already regretting the vote considering transfer windows in other countries are still open and heavyweights might try to test their rivals resolve by bidding for their players.

The transfer season might have closed in England but newly promoted sides can still get players on loan from fellow Premier League sides while it’s still business as usual in other countries.

As usual, Ducor Sports is on hand to take you through all the done deals involving African players, the latest rumors and gossip making headlines this week.

The Done Deals

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa:

Fulham will be among the teams to watch out for this coming season after pulling off a couple of surprise transfer coups this summer.

The newly promoted side added Cameroon international Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa from Marseille for a reported €30 million on deadline day.

The 22-year-old defender was one of the most exciting players in League 1 after managing an impressive 37 appearances in the 2017-2018 season.

He moves to the Craven Cottage on a five-year deal and will be linking up with fellow league 1 import Jean Seri from Nice who turned down Barcelona, Chelsea and Napoli for the English outfit.

Moussa Wague: In Spain, Barcelona have confirmed the signing of in-demand Senegalese international Moussa Wague from Belgian outfit Eupen for a reported  €5 million.

The 19-year-old right back joins Barcelona after back-to-back impressive World Cup performances but will first play his first season with the third-tier Barcelona B.

He has signed a long term contract and the €100 million release clause the Catalans have inserted in his terms is testament to his potential.

Jordan Ayew:

Ghanaian international Jordan Ayew also made a switch to Swansea on the deadline of the English transfer window.

The versatile midfielder scored 7 goals last season and was voted the club’s player of the year as The Swans were relegated last season. He however refused to turn up for training with the championship side this season to try force a move back to the Premier League.

He follows a string of players who have left the Eagles including senior brother Ayew who moved to Fenerbache earlier this week.

The 26-year-old turned down a permanent move to Fulham for a loan move to Crystal Palace because the latter promised to play him as a forward.

Micheal Olunga:

In Asia, Kenyan striker Micheal Olunga has departed Chinese side Guizhou Zhicheng for Japanese giants Kashiwas Reysol on a three-year deal.

The forward who impressed while on loan at Girona last season couldn’t feature for the Chinese side because they had reached a maximum limit for foreign players which made the move inevitable.

He averages a goal a game for the Harambee Stars and will be a great addition for the Japanese side who finished fourth in the J-League last season.

Alhaji Gero:

Nigerian striker Alhaji Gero has left Sweden’s Ostersunds FK for a new challenge in Iran’s Esteghlal on a three-year deal quoted to be in excess of €300,000.

The 24-year-old attacker quits the Scandinavian nation having spent 24 months in Sweden where he registered five goals in 55 appearances.

The Rumors Making the Rounds

Samuel Eto’o: In France, League 2 side Lens have discussed the prospect of bringing in former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Samuel Eto’o in their ranks.

The deal didn’t materialize despite Lens’ efforts to make the deal as financially lucrative as possible. The Cameroonian legend is currently a free agent after parting ways with Konyaspor this summer with many wondering if he will hang up his boots or get another team to represent.

Frank Kessie: The Premier League newcomers Wolverhampton Wanderers continue to surprise everyone by making outrageous offers in a bid to re-build a squad that can compete in the EPL. They have already built an impressive squad but wanted to even add options heading into the new season.

According to news coming in from Italy, Wolves lodged a €50 million offer to tempt Ivory Coast’s midfielder Frank Kessie. The Italian giants who secured the playmaker’s services on a two-year loan deal from Atlanta rejected the approach and insisted on keeping the youngster at the San Siro.

Islam Slimani: According to Sky Sports, Leicester and Algeria international Islam Slimani is nearing a season-long temporary move to Fenerbachce.

The 30-year-old has failed to break into Puel’s team and has been used as the fourth choice behind Jamie Vardy, super-sub Okazaki and Kelechi Iheanacho.

The forward has struggled for a starting place since his arrival in 2016 and had a disappointing loan stint with Newcastle which made matters worse for him. A loan move would give him a much needed fresh start to re-discover his form.