Transfers: United sign Baleba, Liverpool close on Barcola
RTÉ · RTÉ Sport · 2026-08-25T09:23:18+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Manchester United have completed the signing of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba in a deal worth up to £70m (€81.8m).
After securing a Champions League return with last season's third-place finish, there has been a focus on bolstering Michael Carrick’s midfield heading into the new Premier League campaign.
United saw influential Casemiro depart and Manuel Ugarte sustain a serious knee injury during a summer in which Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans arrived from Chelsea and Aston Villa respectively.
Baleba becomes the third Premier League player to bolster the Red Devils’ midfield, signing a five-year-deal with the option to extend for a further 12 months after agreeing a £65m (€70m) deal plus £5m in add-ons and a sell-on with Brighton.
"It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams. Playing at Old Trafford is always special but the opportunity to do so as a Manchester United player will be a real honour," the Cameroon international said.
"I cannot wait to work with Michael Carrick. His experience and knowledge of the game make him the perfect coach to help me to reach the highest level.
"The ambition of everyone at the club is extremely clear, the future is hugely exciting, and I am determined to play my part in delivering the success that we are capable of together."
Liverpool are edging closer to a deal for Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, according to reports.
The 23-year-old remains a priority for new Reds boss Andoni Iraola before the transfer window shuts, despite the Ligue 1 giants initially valuing him at £145m.
PSG are now said to have shown willing to reduce that figure, amid increasing confidence that Liverpool will come back with an acceptable offer.
Barcola was an unused substitute for his side's Super Cup victory over Aston Villa, and also sat out the French Super Cup loss to Lens and Sunday’s Ligue 1 opener at Rennes.
After the draw with Rennes, PSG sporting director Luis Campos signalled his side’s willingness to remain active until the end of the transfer window.
"The transfer window isn’t over, it’s important to defend PSG and the institution," Campos told Ligue 1 TV. "You mentioned (Bradley) Barcola and (Ibrahim) Mbaye – we’ll see what happens."
Liverpool had initially shown interest in signing both Barcola and Mbaye as a single package, but the French club rejected the proposal and Mbaye is now being linked elsewhere.
Tottenham have taken their summer spending spree beyond the £300m mark after completing the transfer of long-term target Savinho from Manchester City.
Spurs failed in efforts to sign the Brazilian winger at the start of last season and the 22-year-old went on to endure a difficult campaign at Etihad Stadium, but he has now completed a move to north London in an £85m package.
An initial fee of £75m plus £10m in add-ons has secured the services of Savinho, who has been on Tottenham's wish list for more than 12 months and quickly emerged as a key target for Roberto De Zerbi too following his arrival in March.
The signing of Savinho – who wishes to be referred to as Savio moving forward – is one half of a planned double swoop on City, with talks still ongoing over the addition of forward Omar Marmoush.
Savinho’s arrival has taken Spurs’ summer spend beyond the £300m mark after big-money moves for £100m midfielder Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, who cost £85m, earlier in the transfer window.
It will be a welcome boost for De Zerbi after his new-look team suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat at Brentford on the opening day.
Meanwhile, Chelsea striker Liam Delap is set to join Nottingham Forest after the two clubs agreed a £45m fee, it is understood.
The 23-year-old will be getting a fresh start at the City Ground after being told he is not in Xabi Alonso's plans at Chelsea.
He has been made to train separately and had his number nine shirt reassigned as Alonso made his feelings clear.
Delap will now play for a third club in three seasons after Forest agreed a club-record £45m deal, which could go up to £50m with add-ons.
Chelsea will make a profit on a player they signed for £30m from Ipswich a year ago, despite the fact he managed only two goals in all competitions last season.
Talks are thought to have began on Monday between Delap’s camp and Forest and the move accelerated quickly.
He will provide competition up front with Chris Wood and Igor Jesus, with Forest also looking to add more signings before the transfer window shuts.
Chelsea opened their new Premier League campaign with a 3-2 win over west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night.