Chile have clinched the Copa America while United States Women’s team has lifted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada. No much soccer action on the television now until the clubs start their pre-season tours.
Although there is a lot of action taking place behind the scenes. Andrea Pirlo has sealed his move to New York City FC. The midfield maestro will join the company of Frank Lampard and David Villa at the MLS outfit. The Italian legend will be sorely missed in the Champions League and it seems certain that we’ve seen the last of him in Europe. A win in the Champions League final against Barcelona in Berlin would have been a more fitting end to Pirlo’s career at Juventus.
Inter Milan have brought players from the Spanish league. The two defenders, Montoya (on-loan) and Miranda (full ownership) from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively, join Roberto Mancini’s team. The Italian giants have also brought in Geoffrey Kondogbia from Monaco, who can have a big impact in the Serie A. Inter’s arch rivals AC Milan are also strengthening on all fronts. Luiz Adriano joins Milan from Shakhtar while Carlos Bacca has tranferred from the La Liga club Sevilla. The midfielder Andrea Bertolacci will move from AS Roma in an attempt to bring the club back to where it belongs.
FC Barcelona has announced the signing of Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid. The Turkish winger was linked with a move to the Premier League champions but it was recently revealed that Turan will stay in La Liga. Arda Turan was exceptional in Atletico’s league winning run last year and he also played a crucial part on the road to the Champions League final in 2014. Atleti fans will be heartbroken with the news as Turan’s four years with the club were quite memorable.
There have been rumors flying around in the Spanish newspapers but Real Madrid have completed the signing of only a few players including the Espanyol midfielder Lucas Vázquez. It is believed that David de Gea transfer saga could be soon over as Iker Casillas is nearing closer to the exit as they’re plenty rumors linking him with a move to the Portuguese club Porto.
The German champions have brought in Douglas Costa from Shakhtar putting an even bigger question mark on the future of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Pep Guardiola recently stated that the German midfielder’s future at the club is in his own hands as the Spanish manager has left the decision on to the player.
Lukas Podolski was a misfit at Inter Milan and Arsenal and now the striker has moved to Galatasaray on a three year deal to try his luck in the less popular league. Manchester United’s Luis Nani has moved to Fenerbahce. The winger was unwanted by Louis van Gaal and with the signing of Memphis Depay, his departure was imminent. Nani has had inconsistent spells at the English giants but at times he showed why Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford in the first place. Another United forward, Angelo Henriquez has also completed the signing to Dynamo Zagreb. The Chilean striker recently won the Copa America by beating Argentina in the final. He could have proved to be a good back up option but it seems that the Dutch manager has something in mind for the striker position at Manchester United.