Football / Sports

Dybala set to join AS Roma on free transfer

Argentina international forward Paulo Dybala has agreed a deal in principle to sign for Serie A side AS Roma on a free transfer following his departure from Juventus, a source close to the club told Reuters on Monday.

Dybala, who was linked with a transfer to Inter Milan after his deal with Juventus expired, will sign a three-year contract with Roma worth 6 million euros ($6.09 million), Italian news agency ANSA said.

The 28-year-old won five league titles and four Coppa Italia trophies with Juventus after joining the Turin-based club from Palermo in 2015, scoring 115 goals in 293 appearances across all competitions.

Dybala will become Roma’s fourth signing of the transfer window after the arrivals of midfielder Nemanja Matic, goalkeeper Mile Svilar and defender Zeki Celik.

Roma finished sixth in Serie A last season and won the Europa Conference League under Jose Mourinho.…

Football / Sports

Barcelona sign Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen on free transfers

Barcelona have confirmed the signings of Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen on free transfers from AC Milan and Chelsea respectively.

Kessie, 25, has joined Barca on a four-year deal after his contract expired with Milan on June 30.

The midfielder has a €500 million release clause in his new contract, which runs to 2026. Barca will present him on Wednesday.

The Ivory Coast international’s move to Camp Nou ends his five-year stay at the Rossoneri where he made 224 appearances and scored 39 goals.

Kessie strengthens coach Xavi Hernandez’s options in midfield and will compete for a place in the team with Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Gavi and Nico Gonzalez.

After moving to Italy with Atalanta in 2015 and following a loan spell with Cesena, Kessie joined Milan on loan in 2017 before making the move permanently in 2019.

He played a central role this season as Milan won a first Serie A title in 11 years, scoring six times in 31 appearances, including one against Sassuolo last weekend as the league was wrapped up.

Meanwhile, Denmark international Christensen, 26, joins Barca after his contract expired with Chelsea last month.

The defender’s move to Camp Nou brings an end to his 10-year stay at Chelsea, where he made 161 first-team appearances.

Christensen strengthens the centre-back options for the club that includes Ronald Araujo, who recently signed a new long-term contract, Gerard Pique and Eric Garcia.

Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza all remain at the club, too,

After making his senior debut for Chelsea in 2014, Christensen completed a two-year loan spell at Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach between 2015 and 2017.

He has featured regularly under several different coaches since returning to Stamford Bridge, helping the club win the Europa League in 2019 and the Champions League in 2021.…

Football / Sports

Aguero joins Barcelona on a free Transfer

Sergio Aguero, Man City’s record goalscorer with 260 goals, is departing the Etihad after a decade at the club; Argentina forward joined from Atletico Madrid in 2011; injuries and illness restricted his appearances in final season at City; 32-year-old unveiled by Barca on Monday

The forward was presented in a Barca kit and greeted the media on Monday evening after completing a medical in the afternoon prior to signing a two-year deal.

Aguero will move to Barcelona on a free transfer but the Catalan club have said Aguero’s buyout clause is set at €100m (£86m). He will officially become a Barcelona player on July 1 after his City contract expires.

Aguero’s departure from the Etihad was announced at the end of March after Pep Guardiola informed City’s record goalscorer of the club’s decision not to renew his deal.…