FC Schalke 04 defender Benedikt Howedes has revealed he has already rejected the chance to join AC Milan and Arsenal this summer.
The Germany international, whose current deal at the Veltins Arena will expire in the summer of 2017, has spent his entire career in Gelsenkirchen and has made it clear he is not seeking pastures new.
“Arsenal and AC Milan were really keen on my services,” Howedes said. “But I have decided in favour of Schalke.”
Howedes, who can play centre-back and left-back, scored two goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances for the Royal Blues last season.
Mandzukic signs for Juventus
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed the club have won the race for Atletico Madrid forward Mario Mandzukic.
According to reports, Mandzukic will cost the UEFA Champions League runners-up €18 million as a potential replacement for Carlos Tevez, who is nearing a return to boyhood club Boca Juniors.
Juve faced competition several top European clubs, including the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United, for the Croatia international’s signature.
“We have signed Mandzukic because he has got what we are looking for. He’s a great player and I’m really happy,” Allegri told Sky Italia.
“Mandzukic is an international-level player, he has scored goals in all the competitions he has played in and he’ll do equally well in Italy.”
Mandzukic bagged 12 goals and five assists in 28 La Liga appearances for Atletico in 2014/15.
Gomez joins Liverpool
Liverpool have completed the signing of defender Joe Gomez from Charlton Athletic for a reported fee of £3.5 million, according to BBC Sport.
The England youth international, 18, made 24 appearances in all competitions for Charlton last term and is looking forward to getting started under manager Brendan Rodgers.
Gomez, who has won three international caps for the England Under-19 team, can play in central defence or at full-back.
“It’s a dream come true,” Gomez told the club’s official website. “It’s a bit surreal and it hasn’t really hit me yet. But I’m buzzing and just excited to get started.
“The club has got great history and it’s a great club, and one that I’ve always been following from when I was young.
“The style of football and the top players here was somewhere that I wanted to go and get better and learn, and play good football. It was an easy decision.”
Gomez becomes the Reds’ fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Adam Bogdan (Bolton Wanderers), Danny Ings (Burnley) and James Milner (Manchester City).
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