‘PSV almost got Pepi’ – ‘Feyenoord set to break record with transfer Kökcü’

‘Feyenoord set to break transfer record with transfer Kökcü to Benfica’

Benfica are close to getting Feyenoord player Orkun Kökcü. The Algemeen Dagblad reports. This is a record transfer, according to the newspaper: between 25 and 30 million. The transfer of Luis Sinisterra to Leeds United yielded some 25 million euros.

Kökcü captained Feyenoord last season. Under his leadership, the Rotterdam club convincingly captured the national title.

Hadouir becomes Fraser’s assistant at RKC

Anouar Hadouir will assist head coach Henk Fraser at RKC Waalwijk. The former midfielder has signed for two seasons.

The 40-year-old Hadouir comes over from Willem II, where he worked in youth training. At Willem II, he also began his career as a soccer player. After that, he also played in the Netherlands for Roda JC, NAC Breda and Excelsior.

“I am greatly looking forward to working together and with this to be part of this ambitious club,” Hadouir said. “I am therefore determined to transfer my knowledge and experience to the players. Together we will do everything we can to achieve successes and further develop the team and individual.”

RKC finished ninth in the premier league last season. In mid-May Fraser was already appointed as the successor to Joseph Oosting, who is transferring to FC Twente.

Xavi respects choice Messi

Xavi understands Lionel Messi’s choice to play at American Inter Miami. “The last two years he was not enjoying himself at Paris Saint-Germain and didn’t want this kind of pressure anymore. He is the best player ever. But this is his personal decision that we have to respect.”

The Barcelona coach spoke a lot with Lionel Messi recently about his possible return to the Spanish club. During those talks, Xavi noticed a change in Messi in recent days. “We were all excited by the talks. First him, then me and then the club. But often you want something and it doesn’t work out because the circumstances are not right. Maybe with him the picture was not so clear.”

Xavi: “But often we can’t imagine what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes. It’s certainly not easy to be Messi either. He always has to behave perfectly, he has to be perfect on the pitch and he always has to be the best.”

Mac Allister to Liverpool

Liverpool has secured its first major acquisition this summer. The English club is acquiring Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 24-year-old midfielder, who became world champion with Argentina in December, signs with Liverpool for four years.

Mac Allister impressed in the Argentina squad during the last World Cup in Qatar, but a transfer in the winter period was not yet in the cards.

Since January 2019, Mac Allister was under contract at Brighton, but was first rented twice to Argentine club . His debut in the Premier League followed more than a year later in Brighton’s service.

Rice is to leave West Ham

Declan Rice may leave West Ham United this summer. Chairman David Sullivan told talkSPORT after winning the Conference League. “We promised him he could go,” he said.

And 41-time international Rice’s plan is clear, according to Sullivan. “He’s determined to go. You can’t wish for a man who has committed more to us this season than he has. It’s not something we want to happen. We offered him 200 thousand pounds (over 230 thousand euros, ed.) a week eighteen months ago, he turned it down.”

The midfielder, who has been under contract with West Ham United since 2014, has been linked with Bayern Munich, among others.

No more doubts: Messi to Miami

Lionel Messi plans to continue his career with Inter Miami in the United States. The 35-year-old Argentine let it be known in an exclusive interview to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.

“I made the decision that I’m going to Miami. I wanted to leave Europe, get out of the spotlight and think more about my family,” he reveals.

“It’s not 100 percent complete yet, something is still missing, but we did decide to go in that direction.”

Sparta tries to bring Strootman back to Castle

Gerard Nijkamp, technical director of Sparta, in a podcast of RTV Rijnmond confirmed that talks have been held with Kevin Strootman about his possible return to Rotterdam. Strootman is 33 and has had a good season with promoted Genoa.

‘Before the game against Feyenoord we had a conversation,’ Nijkamp said. ‘That was a good conversation. But it’s up to Kevin when he decides to come home. As far as we are concerned, preferably the day before yesterday.’

Kanté on his way to Al-Ittihad, club of Benzema

French midfielder N’Golo Kanté is also continuing his career at Al-Ittihad. According to various media, the transfer-free Chelsea midfielder will sign a three-year contract with the Saudi Arabia champions, who already secured the arrival of Karim Benzema on Tuesday.

Kanté, 2018 World Cup winner in Russia, did not get to play much at Chelsea last season due to a hamstring injury. As a result, he was out of action for six months. The defensive midfielder transferred from Leicester City in 2016, with whom he had just become England champion at the time.

Saudi Arabia wants to strengthen its own soccer league with many foreign stars. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo came to the Middle East last winter already for the petrodollars. The Portuguese plays at Al-Nassr.