Football Features

    From Riechedly Bazoer to Carl Jenkinson: Six done deals you might have missed this week

    By Mohamed Moallim

    Published: 12:11, 8 August 2022

    We are entering the final stretch of this summer’s transfer window.

    So, as expected, business is really starting to pick up. With football being a non-stop global enterprise, clubs are continuing to strengthen their squads. This past week has seen some players moving around, with Cesc Fàbregas notably swapping the good life in Monaco for the equally serene location of Como, who play their football in Italy’s second division.

    His former Arsenal teammate Aaron Ramsey went the other way, ending a frustrating stint at Juventus by joining Ligue 1 outfit Nice where he links up with Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who ends an illustrious Leicester City playing career. Riqui Puig, who Fabregas once said could become the new Andres Iniesta, will no longer be plying his trade at the Camp Nou instead he’s gone Hollywood by linking up with LA Galaxy.

    Elsewhere the protracted transfer saga of Charles De Ketelaere ended with the Belgian attacking midfielder finally completing his dream move to AC Milan while Fulham acquired the services of German shot-stopper Bernd Leno who lost his spot at the Emirates to Aaron Ramsdale.

    But for every high-profile acquisition there are some that go under the radar, here are six done deals from the first week of August alone that you might have missed.

    1. Borja Mayoral

    From: Real Madrid

    To: Getafe

    Given the position Real Madrid occupy in world football, it’s often difficult for academy graduates to break into their first team and hold down a regular starting berth. Among the casualties of possessing a Galactico-esque squad is Borja Mayoral who, since debuting for his boyhood club in 2015, has made just 22 league appearances. However, Mayoral hasn’t been wasting away on the bench, instead spending the past seven years on loan elsewhere. VfL Wolfsburg, Levante and Roma enjoying the Madrid-born marksman’s services before Getafe, whom he’s now joined on a permanent basis.

    2. Riechedly Bazoer

    From: Vitesse

    To: AZ

    There was a brief moment when it seemed Riechedly Bazoer had the world at his feet. After all, he was a wonderkid on FIFA 16. The former Ajax youngster was destined for a lengthy adventure outside the Netherlands but his stint at VfL Wolfsburg and subsequent loan spell at FC Porto were underwhelming. A return home beckoned and following a turnaround at Utrecht he earned a move to Vitesse where the defensive midfielder converted into a centre-back. However, they couldn’t agree to a new contract and Bazoer will now continue his journeyman-like playing career at AZ.

    3. Filip Djuricic

    From: Sassuolo

    To: Sampdoria

    Before the emergence of Dusan Tadic, it was Filip Djuricic who many were dubbing as Serbia’s next great elegant attacking threat. Having also gained his footballing education in the Eredivisie, Djuricic opted for a move to Benfica but that proved to be disastrous with him spending time on loan elsewhere. Among those clubs were Southampton, though he played just nine Premier League games, Sampdoria would sign Djuricic on permanent basis before Sassuolo acquired his signature. After four seasons at Stadio Città del Tricolore he’s back in Genoa seeking to score his first-ever Serie A goal for I Blucerchiati.

    4. Agustín Marchesín

    From: FC Porto

    To: Celta de Vigo

    It’s hard to see Agustín Marchesín dethrone Emiliano Martínez as Argentina’s number one but the 34-year-old is a capable deputy. After two seasons with Portuguese giants FC Porto — where he kept 46 clean sheets across 94 matches in all competitions — the former Lanús shot-stopper, who also spent many years in Mexico, will be looking forward to making his La Liga debut with Celta de Vigo.

    5. Fredrik Midtsjö

    From: AZ

    To: Galatasaray

    Riechedly Bazoer’s move to AZ was made possible with Fredrik Midtsjö vacating a spot in their midfield. The 11-time capped Norwegian international had enjoyed five seasons in Alkmaar and felt it was time for a new challenge which Galatasaray will hope to provide. The 22-time Turkish champions endured their worst campaign since 1981/82 last term when they finished 13th, consequently they’ve dipped into the market and Midtsjö should soon be joined by former Serie A stars Lucas Torreira and Dries Mertens.

    6. Carl Jenkinson

    From: Nottingham Forest

    To: Newcastle

    It feels like a lifetime ago that England were vying with Finland for Carl Jenkinson’s services. He ultimately opted for the Three Lions though he would earn one cap before falling out of favour at Arsenal which affected his international career. The final five years of his Gunners stint was spent outside the club. West Ham and Birmingham City housed Jenkinson before Nottingham Forest prized him away from the Emirates. However, the Harlow-born defender relocated to Australia earlier this year, joining A-League outfit Melbourne City on a temporary basis, and he has remained Down Under, leaving Forest permanently for Newcastle Jets.

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