Mandanda leaves Marseille, Sterling to join Chelsea

Meanwhile, Ten Hag completed his first signing after taking the reins of Manchester United

Every week, there is a whole lot of news regarding players leaving one club and joining another. These shuffling will continue till August 31, the date when the transfer window closes.

In the newer update, France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda signed a two-year deal with Rennes after reaching an agreement with Marseille to rescind his contract.

The World Cup winner has spent most of his career at Marseille, making a record 613 appearances for the club since his arrival from Le Havre in 2007.

“Olympique de Marseille and Steve Mandanda have decided to go their separate ways by mutual agreement,” the club said in a statement.

“OM would like to sincerely thank Steve for everything he has brought to the club.”

The 37-year-old was under contract with Marseille until 2024 but spent much of last season as the second choice to Pau Lopez.

According to a source close to the matter, Mandanda underwent a medical in Rennes on Wednesday before finalising his move.

He will compete with Senegal international Alfred Gomis for the starting role at Rennes.

Mandanda, the long-time back-up to Hugo Lloris, has won 34 caps for France and was part of the winning World Cup squad in Russia four years ago.

The Kinshasa-born keeper helped Marseille win the last of their nine Ligue 1 titles in 2010. He joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer in 2016 but returned to Marseille a year later.

Sterling moving to Chelsea

Chelsea are closing on the first major signing of the Todd Boehly era at Stamford Bridge after reportedly agreeing on personal terms with Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling.

Sky Sports reported that Sterling’s move to London is “imminent” although a fee is yet to be agreed between the clubs.

Sterling, 27, is into the final year of his contract at the Etihad, but City are expected to hold out for a fee in the region of £45 million ($54 million).

The England international has won four Premier League titles among nine major trophies since joining City from Liverpool in 2015.

A key player in the early years of Pep Guardiola’s reign at City, Sterling has scored 131 goals in 337 appearances for the English champions.

However, his regular place in the starting line-up at City has come increasingly under threat from the signing of Jack Grealish for a Premier League record £100 million last year, plus the emergence of Phil Foden from the club’s academy.

City have also bolstered their attacking options for the new season with the arrival of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

Chelsea are in the market for goalscorers after letting record signing Romelu Lukaku return to Inter Milan on loan just a year after splashing £97 million on the Belgian striker.

New chairman Boehly has thrust himself to the fore of transfer negotiations with the American also acting as interim sporting director after the regime change radically altered the Stamford Bridge hierarchy.

Dortmund gets Haller

Borussia Dortmund completed the signing of Ivory Coast striker Sebastien Haller from Ajax as the Bundesliga club looks to fill the void left by the departure of Erling Haaland.

Haller, 28, had flown to Germany last month to undergo a medical with Dortmund following the sale of Haaland to Premier League champions Manchester City.

Ajax said they will receive a transfer fee of 31 million euros ($31.5 million) from Dortmund, an amount that could rise to 34.5 million.

“We’re very pleased to have been able to sign Sebastien Haller,” said Dortmund’s new sporting director Sebastian Kehl.

“(He’s) a seasoned centre-forward who has recently caused a sensation in the Champions League, but who also knows the Bundesliga in particular and has already demonstrated his class and high-quality finishing there.”

Haller returns to Germany having spent two seasons with Eintracht Frankfurt from 2017 to 2019.

He had a spell at West Ham before joining Ajax in January 2021.

Haller struck 47 goals in 65 appearances for Ajax, notably scoring 11 times in last season’s Champions League — including in home and away wins over Dortmund in the group stage.

He helped the club to a league and cup double in his first season and then finished top scorer in the Eredivisie last term as Ajax retained the title.

Ten Hag’s first signing

Manchester United completed their swoop for Feyenoord defender Tyrell Malacia as Erik ten Hag made his first signing since taking charge at Old Trafford.

United landed Malacia in a reported £12.95 million ($15.4 million) deal after making a late move for the Netherlands full-back, who had been close to joining French club Lyon.

The 22-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.

It is a landmark deal for Ten Hag, who had been linked with a host of potential signings before finally making Malacia the first acquisition of his United reign.

Ten Hag arrived at United in May after finishing his successful spell at Ajax, where he had plenty of opportunities to see Malacia’s quality with Dutch rivals Feyenoord.

Malacia, who made 136 appearances for Feyenoord, said, “It’s an incredible feeling to have joined Manchester United. This is a new chapter for me, a new league with new teammates and a tremendous manager leading us.

“I know from playing against his teams in the Eredivisie, the qualities that he has and what he demands of his players.

“Whilst I know that I am still young and will continue to develop, I can promise the United fans that I will leave everything on the pitch every time I pull on the red shirt.”

Malacia, who plays largely at left-back, is expected to be part of the United squad that leaves for the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia on Friday.

“I’ll always be thankful to Feyenoord for all they have given to me and my family. None of this would be possible if it wasn’t for them,” Malacia said.

“Now I’m ready to focus on the future with United, and help my new club achieve success.”

Capped five times by the Netherlands, Malacia is likely to compete with England left-back Luke Shaw for a place in United’s starting line-up.

“Tyrell is an exciting, dynamic young footballer with excellent experience for his age, including five seasons in the Eredivisie, a European final and full international honours for the Netherlands,” United football director John Murtough said.

“We look forward to seeing him continue to develop under the guidance of Erik ten Hag and his coaching team in the years ahead.”

Ten Hag’s recruitment drive is starting to gather pace, with Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen reportedly agreeing to join United on a free transfer after his impressive loan spell at Brentford last season.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie De Jong and Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez have also been linked with moves to Old Trafford.

As well as overhauling a squad that finished a disappointing sixth in the Premier League last season, Ten Hag must resolve the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo missed training for “family reasons” on Monday after reportedly asking for a transfer following United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

United are said to be determined to hold onto the Portugal striker, who finished as their top scorer last season.