Borussia Dortmund have signed Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj on loan for a season, the German club said on Monday.
The 20-year-old Belgium international was reportedly a target for several European clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Olympique Marseille and Valencia.
“Adnan is a high quality and versatile player who complements our attack,” Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc said.
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– Paul Pogba, John Stones, Man United, Chelsea and what to watch for as the summer window shuts
Januzaj made four appearances for United this season, scoring in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa this month.
“Borussia Dortmund are a big club and the fans are supposed to be great here,” Januzaj said in a statement. “I want to do big things with the club here.”
Januzaj will not have the chance to play in the Champions League because Dortmund have qualified for the Europa League after a disappointing last season.
They are, however, top of the Bundesliga table after three straight wins, ahead of champions Bayern Munich on goal difference.
Januzaj made his first-team debut for United in the 2013-14 season but has not earned a regular starting spot under coach Louis van Gaal.
His contract with United runs to 2018.
Monaco’s Anthony Martial in talks with Manchester United
Monaco forward Anthony Martial has been given permission by France coach Didier Deschamps “to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United”, the French Football Federation announced on Monday.
The 19-year-old striker was given an international call-up for the first time by Deschamps for the friendly games against Portugal and Serbia.
Martial, who joined Monaco in 2013 from Lyon, has slowly risen up the French international ranks having played at all youth levels.
A statement on the French Football Federation website read: “Anthony Martial requested permission from Didier Deschamps to travel to England to sign a contract with Manchester United.
“Given the exceptional circumstances, the coach has agreed to the request of the player.”
Martial is due to return to the French training base at Clairefontaine, south of Paris, on Tuesday morning, ahead of their friendlies against Serbia and Portugal.
Chelsea target Senegal defender Papy Djilobodji
The Premier League champions are bidding to solve their defensive troubles with Senegal defender Papy Djilobodji as a switch from Nantes nears completion.
Chelsea have conceded nine goals in four games in accruing four points to sit eight adrift of leaders Manchester City.
Chelsea’s pursuit of John Stones has been repelled by Everton and reports in the French media say a euros three million (£2.2million) deal for Djilobodji is near completion. It is less than 10 per cent of the sum offered for Stones.
The 27-year-old Djilobodji has one year remaining on his contract with Nantes and is flying to London for a medical, according to reports in France.
Djilobodji has reportedly been linked with Celtic and Trabzonspor in Turkey, who had a euros 2m offer rejected in the last few days.
His likely switch to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea is unexpected.
Chelsea send Lucas Piazon to Reading on loan
Reading have signed Chelsea forward Lucas Piazon on a season-long loan.
The 21-year-old Brazilian, who has played three times for the Blues, will spend the entire 2015-16 campaign at the Royals, who fought off stern competition for his signature.
Boss Steve Clarke told the club’s official website: “Lucas is a very talented attacking player who can create chances and score goals.
“When we spoke I was impressed by both his maturity and desire to prove himself in English football after some loan moves to European leagues. I’m sure Lucas will bring something extra to our squad this season.”
Chief executive Nigel Howe added: “We are excited to welcome Lucas to Madejski Stadium. He is a player with real talent and under Steve’s management and the club’s guidance we are sure he can flourish over the next 12 months.
“We are very pleased to have completed this deal, and as I speak, one can never be certain but we remain active in the transfer market.”
Piazon has spent time on loan at Malaga, Vitesse Arnhem and Frankfurt following his arrival at Stamford Bridge from Sao Paulo in 2012.
Manchester City's Jason Denayer joins Galatasaray
Manchester City defender Jason Denayer has joined Galatasaray on a season-long loan, the Barclays Premier League club have confirmed.
It is the second successive season the 20-year-old Belgium international has spent away from the Etihad Stadium having impressed on loan at Celtic last term.
Denayer signed a new five-year contract at City in the summer but, with increased competition for places following the recent £32million signing of Nicolas Otamendi, has been allowed to gain further experience elsewhere.
Liverpool sign Nigerian teenager Taiwo Awoniyi
The Premier League club signed teenage Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi on Monday and immediately sent him out on loan to German club FSV Frankfurt.Brendan Rodgers’ side have brought Awoniyi to Anfield from Imperial Academy in Nigeria after fending off reported interest from Porto and Monaco.
The 18-year-old is understood to have cost around £400,000 ($614,000, 547,371 euros) and will spend the rest of the season learning his trade on loan with Frankfurt in the German second tier.
“This is the biggest club in the world and I’m privileged to be here,” Awoniyi told Liverpool’s website.
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