Digest

ENGLAND

United agrees deal for Ajax winger Antony

Manchester United has agreed a fee that could rise to 85 million pounds ($99 million) to sign Ajax's Brazilian winger Antony, reports said on Monday.

The Premier League giant has agreed to pay 80.75 million pounds, with a further 4.25 million pounds in add-ons, the BBC, Sky Sports and other British media said ahead of the transfer window closing on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Antony could be the second player to follow United manager Erik ten Hag from the Dutch champion to Old Trafford following the arrival of central defender Lisandro Martinez.

Tyrell Malacia, Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro have arrived so far this summer and Ten Hag says he is hoping to keep Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the Portuguese wanting to leave to play Champions League soccer.

The 37-year-old was on the bench for United's 1-0 win at Southampton on Saturday before making a largely anonymous substitute appearance.

United has also reportedly agreed a loan deal with Newcastle for 33-year-old goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to provide competition for first-choice stopper David de Gea.

Conte quips that Son is marriage material

Tottenham Hotspur manager boss Antonio Conte has said he would be happy for Son Heung-min to marry his daughter as he defended the struggling South Korea forward.

Son has failed to hit the heights he established last term as his goalless start to the season continued during Spurs' 2-0 win away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

His form so far this term has been far removed from the run of 10 goals in the final nine games of last season that helped Son win the Premier League Golden Boot award.

Nevertheless, Conte said: "I understood Sonny is a really sensible player. He's really sensible and a top man, a really good guy. If I am to make an example, if I have to find a husband for my daughter I'd like it to be a person like him.

"In this moment maybe he's suffering a lot that he's not scoring. But he has to continue in this way and trust himself because in every game he has the opportunity, the chance to score and then he has to be calm."

Hammers sign Paqueta for 'club-record' fee

West Ham signed Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta from French side Lyon for what the London team said Monday was a "club-record" fee.

The value of his move was undisclosed by the Hammers, although Sky Sports reported it was around 51 million pounds ($60 million).

But the club did reveal Paqueta had signed an initial five-year contract at the London Stadium with a one-year option after becoming their eighth new recruit of the transfer window.

Paqueta's arrival should bolster West Ham manager David Moyes' attacking options, with the Hammers having scored just once in its opening four Premier League games－Pablo Fornals netted the winner in Sunday's 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

"I am extremely happy to be here. I hope it's the beginning of an enjoyable journey. I hope my time here is successful," Paqueta, 25, told West Ham's website.

SPAIN

Aubameyang victim of armed home robbery

Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was the victim of a violent armed robbery at his home in the early hours of Monday, the Spanish club said.

"He is OK now, scared but OK," a Barcelona source told AFP, confirming news reports.

At least four men broke into his home in Castelldefels near Barcelona through the garden and threatened Aubameyang and his wife with guns and iron bars, and hit him, daily El Pais reported.

The thieves fled by car after forcing the Gabon international to open a safe and making off with jewels that were inside, the newspaper reported.

The incident comes as Aubameyang is linked with a return to the Premier League after interest from Chelsea. Several high-profile soccer players in Spain have been the victims of robberies though most of these break-ins occur while the stars are playing.

Cavani joins Valencia in boost to Qatar hopes

Former Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani has signed a two-season deal to play for Valencia, the Spanish top-flight club said on Monday.

The 35-year-old Uruguayan was a free agent after leaving United, who he joined from Paris Saint-Germain where he scored 200 goals.

"Valencia CF has reached an agreement to sign Edinson Cavani for the next two seasons until the 13th of June 2024," the club said announcing the news.

Cavani has also scored 58 goals in 133 appearances for Uruguay, and has expressed his desire to play at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Valencia is coached by Italy's Gennaro Gattuso, who won the Italian Cup with Napoli in 2020.

Valencia finished ninth in La Liga last season and lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Betis on penalties.

ITALY

Henry buys stake in ambitious Como

Thierry Henry was revealed on Monday as a new shareholder of second-tier Italian club Como, which is aiming for big things after rising from the amateur ranks.

France icon Henry was presented by the Serie B club at a media conference in the lakeside city, alongside CEO and former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise.

"It's a new chapter in my life," Henry told reporters. "I know the love for football here... People come to visit for the town. People in France or Spain, they talk about the lake or the beauty of the town but now it's time to talk about the club."

Como, owned by Indonesian tobacco giant Djarum, is targeting a return to Serie A for the first time since 2003 after rising from bankruptcy and fourth-tier Serie D in 2017 to Serie B, where it finished 13th last season.

Agencies