MADRID - As action continues to heat up at the World Cup in Russia, with the all eight quarter-finalist almosts decided, transfer activity in some Europe's top leagues increased on Monday on Tuesday.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have denied a report that they have offered a world-record 310 million euros ($360.59 million) for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Neymar. Spanish television channel TVE reported on Monday that the Champions League winners had submitted the bid for the player who left Barcelona last year for a record 222 million euros.
"In light of information broadcast tonight by TVE regarding an alleged Real Madrid offer to PSG and their player Neymar, Real Madrid C. F. wishes to state that this information is absolutely untrue," the club said in statement on their website. "Real Madrid has made no offer of any kind to PSG or the player."
Neymar is currently on duty with Brazil at the World Cup in Russia and scored one and set up another as they beat Mexico 2-0 in the last 16 on Monday.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan have signed Ghanaian Kwadwo Asamoah on a three-year deal after he decided not to renew his contract at Italian champions Juventus, the Serie A club said in a statement on their website. The 29-year-old Ghana international, who can play either at left back or in midfield, joined Juve in 2012 and won 13 trophies across six seasons from 156 appearances.
It’s official! @Stefandevrij is a Nerazzurri player! 📣✍
He’s signed a contract until 2023 ⚫🔵
👉 https://t.co/ENvS1UB79z #WelcomeStefan #InterIsHere #FCIM pic.twitter.com/zTb2BjVRHz
— Inter (@Inter_en) July 2, 2018
His trophy haul in Turin included six Serie A, four Coppa Italia and three Supercoppa Italia titles and he was also involved in two Champions League runner-up campaigns. Asamoah, who has won 69 caps for Ghana and went to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, also played 134 games for Udinese in a four-year spell from 2008 before moving to Juve.
Inter also signed Dutch defender Stefan De Vrij has as a free agent on a five-year contract. The Dutch international, capped 36 times, spent four years at Serie A rivals Lazio. The 26-year-old made 95 league appearances for Lazio after joining from Feyenoord.
Inter qualified for the Champions League group stage after finishing fourth in the standings, ending a six-year absence from Europe's premier club competition.
AC Milan
Goalkeeper Pepe Reina and defender Ivan Strinic have joined AC Milan as the club's first two signings of the summer transfer window, the Serie A club said on Monday. The former Liverpool keeper, 35, joins AC Milan after three years at Napoli while 30-year-old Strinic, also a former Napoli player, spent the last season at Sampdoria.
🇨🇭🇨🇴 | #WorldwideMilan
Two Rossoneri could be in #WorldCup action today: Rodriguez's #SUI are facing #SWE, Zapata's #COL play against #ENG in the Round of 16! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/T6qx33Sefy
— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 3, 2018
Both players have extensive international experience, with Reina capped 38 times by Spain and Strinic capped 46 times by Croatia. AC Milan ended sixth in the standings last season. The club has been banned from next season's Europa League competition because of its uncertain finances, but is appealing against the decision.
Arsenal
Arsenal have signed Borussia Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee. Papastathopoulos, who has 79 caps for Greece, is new Arsenal boss Unai Emery's third major signing of the summer following goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen and defender Stephan Lichtsteiner from Juventus.
❌
We love this from our new signing #SOKRATIS pic.twitter.com/lnkOrGBTmR
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 2, 2018
"Arsenal is one of the biggest teams in the Premier League," Papastathopoulos told the club's website. "It has a lot of fans and a very big history and I am very happy to be here to help the team."
British media reports said that the centre back had signed a three-year deal with the option for a further 12 months after finalising a move for a fee in the region of 16 million pounds ($21.01 million). The 30-year-old, who won two Bundesliga titles and one German Cup, will wear the number five shirt for Arsenal, the club said.