It’s been a busy summer transfer window for African players both at home and abroad. After moving the African Cup of Nations to the off-season, African players have been highly demanded since their international continental competition doesn’t collide with football domestic seasons.
Transfer news continue to come in fast and with a host of players yet to resolve their futures, agents must be busy considering which offers will have what impact on their players.
There are eight days left of the English transfer window and there’s still plenty for clubs to do before the new season. So without further ado, Ducor Sports is on hand to take you for a spin through all the done deals, latest rumors and gossip that has been making headlines over the past week. However as usual, we remind you that if it’s not a done deal, take it with a grain of salt.
THE DONE DEALS
Okikiola Afolabi
Starting in Egypt, EPL side Club Ismaily have completed signing Nigerian forward Okkiki Afolabi from Jimmy And Jifar for an undisclosed fee. The forward led Ethiopia’s Jimma Aba Jifar to the league title with 23 goals and comes in as much needed help for Ismaily before they kick off the League campaign.
Okiki, who was Ethiopia’s Player of the Year 2017/18, revealed he is ‘looking forward to joining his new team’ and ‘is excited about Ismaily’s endeared style of play’.
He will join the Egyptian giants from Ethiopian defending champions Jimma Aba Jifar on a four year deal.
Hossam Paulo
Zamalek forward Hossam Paulo has joined El Dakhleya on a season-long loan deal. The 34-year-old joined Zamalek from Smouha in the summer of 2017 but failed to nail down a starting spot.
He was then sent on loan on two occasions that season, which might have tempted him to wind down his career where it all started.
He began his career at El Dakhleya scoring 26 goals in 54 appearences, winning a golden boot in the 2014/15 season. He moved to Smouha and won the golden boot again with 17 goals to become the first to win the elusive accolade in two back to back seasons with two different teams.
He has however failed to find his footing at Zamalek and hopes a loan move to his first club will help him find form.
Ferjani Sassi
Still in Egypt, Zamalek have announced signing Tunisian forward Ferjani Sassi on a three-year deal from Saudi giants Al Nassr.
Sassi has 44 appearances for Tunisia during which he’s scored four goals, including a crucial World cup goal against England.
The ex-Esperance and FC Metz player was linked with a possible move to Zamalek ever since his impressive World Cup performance against England. He becomes Zamalek’s 10th signing of the summer as they prepare to mount a challenge for the Egyptian League.
Youssouf Sabaly
Napoli have ended interest in signing Senegal International Youssouf Sabaly after agreeing a $19 million fee with French side Bordeaux,
The Partonepei apparently changed their mind after finding out the player is nursing a knee injury that may keep his on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. The 25-year-old was injured in Senegal’s first World Cup game missing the rest of the campaign as a result.
Fanendo Adi.
Adi becomes the second Nigerian forward on the move this week. Fanendo Adi has completed his $400,000 move to Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati after cutting ties with Portland Timbers.
The forward will occupy a domestic roster spot in addition to a designated player spot since he’s a permanent American resident.
He was on target 54 times in 126 appearances for the Portland Timbers and will definitely be a great addition for Cincinnati.
THE RUMORS MAKING ROUNDS
Wilfried Zaha
The Crystal palace man is often linked with a move away from the Selhurst Park and as it has been in the past few seasons, this summer has not been any different.
Ivory Coast Serge Aurier earlier got Spurs fans excited after posting a cryptic instagram message but the winger will not definitely be cheap.
After putting his name up in lights in the Premier League last season, he has unsprisingly caught the interest of some of Europe’s big boys with Tottenham and Napoli rumored to be ready to meet his valuation.
Mbaye Niang
According to reports in Italy, Torino have reportedly turned down a loan move from Patrick Vieira’s Nice for Senegalese international Mbaye Niang.
The Bulls insist Mbaye Niang is crucial to their plans but would consider an offer if Nice offered the right price.
The midfielder scored five goals in 23 games for Torino and was one of Senegal’s stand out performers at the World Cup in Russia with a goal and an assist.
Isam Slimani
English premier League side Leicester city are keen to offload their record signing Isam Slimani who has failed to break into the foxes first team.
The side are willing to take $20 million to sell the Algerian forward on a permanent deal instead of another loan deal.
Sporting CP, Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Newcastle United are all interested in the player’s services but none could meet his valuation. Another loan move would mean that the player continues to lose value which might force the King Power based side to take less than the expected $20 million.
Vincent Aboubaker
Sevilla have now turned to Porto’s Vincent Aboubaker after failing to make progress in their move for Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi.
According to goal.com, the Spanish outfit held positive talks with Porto to complete a $23 million deal and all is left is the player’s approval.
The 26-year-old still has three years left on his contract having scored 26 goals in 43 appearances for the Portuguese side. With European football on the other side, Vincent Aboubaker might allow the switch to support Wissam Ben Yedder.
