Transfer talk: Barcelona sell Bojan to Stoke; Man City in the market

Manchester City

English champions Manchester City are still in the market for new signings to boost their title defence, manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Tuesday.

Pellegrini has already brought in Brazilian midfielder Fernando from Porto, French fullback Bacary Sagna from Arsenal and goalkeeper Willy Caballero from former club Malaga but isn’t convinced his impressive pool is enough.

“I don’t think the squad is complete yet but we have six weeks before the transfer window closes,” the Chilean told reporters in Kansas ahead of their friendly match against Sporting Kansas City.

“Perhaps there is the option to bring one or more players in or maybe one or two will leave our squad but there is time for us to consider what is best for our team.”

Pellegrini’s purchasing plans may have been changed after striker Alvaro Negredo suffered a broken foot in the friendly win over Scottish side Hearts on Friday.

Pellegrini, who won the Premier League title and the League Cup in his first season in England last year, said the powerful Spaniard had an operation on Tuesday.

“Alvaro had surgery today on his broken foot and he will probably be out for two or three months,” the former Real Madrid manager said.

“It is a blow for us because Alvaro is a very important member of our squad so obviously we will miss him.”

City will face AC Milan, Liverpool and Olympiakos on the US tour before returning for the English curtain raiser, the Community Shield, against FA Cup winners Arsenal on August 10.

Stoke City

Stoke City have signed striker Bojan Krkic from Spanish giants Barcelona for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League side announced on Tuesday.

Bojan, 23, has penned a four-year contract at the Britannia and becomes Stoke’s fifth signing of the summer.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes told the club’s website: “Anyone who knows European football will be aware of him as a player and the fact that he sees his future at Stoke City is really exciting and an endorsement of the club itself.

“He’s desperate to prove himself in the Premier League and we’re pleased to be able to offer him that platform.”

Bojan was expected to fly out to Germany to join his new teammates, including former Barca defender Marc Muniesa, at Stoke’s pre-season training camp.

Bojan, capped once by Spain, came up through the Barca academy and scored 41 goals in 163 appearances for the first team before joining Roma in 2011.

After failing to leave a lasting impression in the Italian capital he was sent on loan to AC Milan prior to his return to the Camp Nou after the 2012/13 season.

He spent last year on loan at Dutch giants Ajax and helped the Amsterdam club secure a record 33rd Eredivisie title.

Bojan’s arrival at the Britannia adds to the signings of Mame Biram Diouf, Steve Sidwell, Phil Bardsley and Dionatan Teixeira.

West Bromwich Albion

New West Bromwich Albion boss Alan Irvine was in upbeat mood after England goalkeeper Ben Foster signed a new contract keeping him with the Premier League club on a four-year deal on Tuesday.

Meanwhile defender Andre Wisdom has joined on a season-long loan from Liverpool.

The 31-year-old Foster joined Albion in 2011, initially on-loan from near neighbours Birmingham, before completing a permanent £6 million (Dh36.7m) move in 2012.

“This is fantastic news for everyone connected with the club as Ben’s an extremely important player for us – both on and off the pitch,” Irvine said.

“He’s a great personality, a great character and leads by example,” he added. “This is a magnificent signing for the club.

“Ben is one of the best keepers in the country, which he showed when he played really well for England against Costa Rica at the World Cup,” added Irvine after he reflected on Foster’s performance in a goalless draw, the team’s best result of a disappointing display in Brazil where they lost to both Italy and Uruguay.

Wisdom, also, has become Albion’s sixth pre-season signing, with the England Under-21 international able to play at either right-back or centre-back.

Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola expects to keep young American forward Julian Green with the club this season instead of loaning him to another team.

The 19-year-old, who scored against Belgium in the World Cup, spent most of last season with Bayern Munich II in the German fourth tier. He made his first-team debut November 27 as an 88th-minute substitute in a Champions League match at CSKA Moscow.

“I think he’s going to stay, but we have to see how is the market,” Guardiola said during a conference call Tuesday looking ahead to his team’s US tour.

Green played for Germany in three qualifiers for the 2014 European Under-19 Championship, then switched affiliation and made his US national team debut in April. The third youngest player at the World Cup, he made his only tournament appearance in the second-round match against Belgium and scored in the 107th minute of the Americans’ 2-1 loss, two minutes after entering.

“When he played, he showed his level, scoring a beautiful, beautiful goal,” Guardiola said. “Now he came back today. He’s a little bit injured in his knee. He will be rested. He will be not in the field for the next two or three days.”

Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers have confirmed the arrival of defender Steven Caulker from Cardiff City on a four-year deal, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

He joins former England defender Rio Ferdinand in boosting the defensive options for the promoted west London side, and is reunited with manager Harry Redknapp, who gave him his debut when both were at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 22-year-old joined Cardiff from Spurs last season, playing every match as they were relegated to the second-tier Championship.

“I am very excited to be here,” Caulker told the club website. “It was important for me to be back playing in the Premier League, and Harry Redknapp has given me the opportunity to be at this fantastic club.

“Harry was a big factor for me, having worked with him at Tottenham. He was very keen for me to join and that was a big plus, knowing the manager wants you.

“Being able to play with Rio was also a big draw. He has been a role model of mine for many years, along with Ledley King. To have the opportunity to play alongside him was something I felt I couldn’t miss out on.

“Our first aim this season has to be to get to 40 points, to make sure we stay up. That’s our first goal.”

Caulker has made one appearance for England, scoring against Sweden in 2012.

No transfer fee was announced.

“I know the ability he has and I think it’s an important signing for the club - for the here and now, and for the future,” Redknapp said.

“I had him at Tottenham and I was very surprised when they decided to let him go last summer, because I thought he had a big future there.”

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