Transfer talk: Benitez wants Fernando Llorente for Real Madrid; Celtic sign teen from Manchester United

According to a Spanish report, Rafa Benitez has his sights on Juventus striker Fernando Llorente as 'an alternative' to the style of Karim Benzema for Real Madrid.

Fernando Llorente has played two season with Juventus since a move from Athletic Bilbao. Alessandro Garofalo / Reuters

Real Madrid and Juventus

According to a Spanish report, Rafa Benitez is targeting Juventus striker Fernando Llorente as one of his first recruits to Real Madrid.

La Sexta television station says new Madrid manager Benitez would like Llorente because he think he an be "an alternative to the game of Karim Benzema".

Spaniard Llorente, 30, was muted for Juventus last season with the emergence of Madrid loanee Alvaro Morata, scoring just seven goals in 31 Serie A appearances. He was a centrepiece of the 2013/14 Juventus team, with 16 goals and five assists in 34 league matches.

He played for Athletic Bilbao from 2009-13, and he scored between 14 and 18 goals a season for the club from 2009/10 to 2011/12.

Uefa Champions League finalists Juventus have already seen Carlos Tevez return to Argentina this summer and stand to lose midfield linchpins Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo.

Celtic

Highly-rated Swiss youngster Saidy Janko became Scottish champions Celtic's second signing of the close season on Wednesday when he agreed to move from Manchester United on a four year deal.

The 19-year-old full-back – who follows Manchester City’s Dedryck Boyata to Celtic Park – has been at United for two years but was loaned out to Championship side Bolton Wanderers towards the end of last season.

Read more: The National's Transfer Talk page

“Celtic Football Club can confirm that it has completed the signing of Saidy Janko from Manchester United on a four-year contract, subject to receiving satisfactory medical results which should hopefully be with the club tomorrow morning,” a statement on Celtic’s website read.

Janko, who has been capped at Under 19 level, offers Celtic cover in other positions as he can also play in central defence and as a right-sided midfielder.

* Agence France-Presse

Borussia Dortmund

Germany international Ilkay Gundogan on Wednesday committed himself to Borussia Dortmund until 2017, just months after refusing to sign an extension to his contract, the club announced on their website.

The 24-year-old midfielder – a member of the Dortmund side that clinched the domestic double in 2012 – had been linked with a move to champions Bayern Munich, who have prised away several of their big stars in recent years, when he refused to sign an extension beyond 2016 at the end of April.

However, according to German media, that deal fell through over Gundogan’s wage demands.

“I am happy that the way has been cleared for me to continue to play for Borussia Dortmund,” Gundogan said on Dortmund’s website.

“I am going to immediately concentrate fulltime on getting ready for next season, as in August we want to be primed to go straight on the attack.”

Dortmund endured a tough season last term, after several years of success under charismatic manager Jurgen Klopp.

They failed to secure a Champions League place, finishing seventh in the Bundesliga, and lost in the German Cup final, which was Klopp's last game in charge as he announced before the end of the campaign he was stepping aside. He has been replaced by Thomas Tuchel.

* Agence France-Presse

Sevilla

Sevilla say they have reached an agreement to sign French international defender Adil Rami from AC Milan.

The Spanish club say Rami is set to sign a four-year contract.

Rami previously played for Valencia in the Primera Liga.

Sevilla will play in the Champions League next season after successfully defending their Europa League title.

* Associated Press

Southampton

Southampton wasted no time in releasing their club-record signing Dani Osvaldo on the opening day of the European transfer window on Wednesday, seeing off the Italy international who never lived up to expectations.

The 29-year-old Argentine-born striker, who joined Southampton in a club record deal that was worth up to £14.6 million (Dh83.5m) in August 2013, turned from Saint to sinner after five months at the club when he head-butted captain Jose Fonte.

He has had spells on loan at Juventus, Inter Milan and Boca Juniors and was allowed to leave the Premier League club with two years remaining on his contract.

He played 13 times for Southampton, scoring three times.

* Reuters

Inter Milan

Inter Milan have completed the signing of Brazil centre back Miranda from Atletico Madrid as they look to shore up a defence that struggled during a disappointing 2014/15 season.

“FC Internazionale is delighted to announce that the paperwork has been completed and delivered to the Lega Serie A offices for the transfer,” Inter said on their website on Wednesday.

Atletico also confirmed the agreement on their website.

Neither club disclosed terms, but Spanish media reported the deal was worth up to €15 million (Dh61.2m).

“Miranda is another great addition to Roberto Mancini’s squad for our new Inter,” president Erick Thohir, an Indonesian businessman who owns a majority stake in the club, told Inter’s website.

“He is an experienced player who is as eager as we are to get started on our new adventure.”

* Reuters

Sunderland

Uruguay international Sebastian Coates has completed a permanent transfer to Sunderland from fellow Premier League side Liverpool, the Wearside club announced on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old defender spent last season on loan at Sunderland, making 13 appearances in all competitions, but has now signed a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

“Sebastian was an important part of the team under Dick (Advocaat) last season and we are delighted that he has joined us on a permanent basis,” sporting director Lee Congerton told the club’s website.

“He has Premier League experience, which is important, and after spending last season on loan with us, he will be able to settle into the team very quickly.”

* Reuters

Swansea City

Swansea City bolstered their attacking options with the signing of Portugal international Eder from Braga on a three-year-contract, the Premier League side announced on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old forward, who has 18 caps, played in all three matches as Portugal were knocked out in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

“Swansea City have completed the signing of Portuguese international striker Eder from Braga for an undisclosed fee,” the club said in a statement on their website.

Eder, who scored his first international goal against Italy earlier this month, becomes Swansea’s fourth signing of the close season following the arrivals of Andre Ayew, Franck Tabanou and Kristoffer Nordfeldt.

* Reuters

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