THE SAGA IS FINALLY OVER
Yankuba Minteh was at the centre of a transfer war between top European clubs. The 19-year-old Gambian winger received multiple bids from Olympique Lyonnais, Everton FC, and Brighton FC, eventually opting to sign for the latter. He joined Newcastle last summer from Danish club OB and was immediately loaned to Feyenoord. He racked up ten goals and six assists in twenty-seven league appearances for the Eredivisie runners-up, finishing the season with thirty seven appearances in all competitions. He grabbed his maiden title in Europe as Feyenoord ran out winners against NEC Nijmegen in the KNVB Cup.
The mesmerizing winger made four appearances in the UCL and grabbed one goal. Upon the expiration of the loan deal, he returned to Newcastle United. The Magpies had to sell players to balance their books due to FFP restrictions, leading to the sale of the winger. He joins Brighton FC on a permanent deal for a reported £33m fee, having failed to make a competitive debut for Newcastle United.
BENRAHMA JOINS OL ON A PERMANENT DEAL
Said Benrahma has joined Ligue One side Olympique Lyonnais on a permanent deal from Premier League side West Ham United. The Algerian winger moved to the French side on an initial loan deal in January 2024 and they’ve now exercised the clause to sign him permanently for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of €14.4m. He recorded 3 goals and 3 assists in 12 league appearances, doing enough to impress the board to sign him permanently. He signed a three-year contract with an option of an additional year at the French club. The winger returns to France after a six-year stint in the EPL.
Benrahma joined West Ham from Brentford in October 2020, recording 24 goals and 20 assists in 155 appearances across all competitions for the East London side. He picked up a UEFA Conference League winner’s medal in 2023, helping them defeat Fiorentina in the final with a penalty goal. Their first European trophy and first trophy since 1980. Bon chance, Said!
NDIAYE RETURNS TO THE EPL
Senegalese midfielder Iliman Ndiaye has completed a move to Everton FC from Olympique Marseille. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the transfer in a statement on X:
“Iliman Ndiaye to Everton, here we go! Deal in place for €18.5m plus €1.5m add-ons. Olympique Marseille accepted terms and contracts are set to be signed. Ndiaye has agreed on a five-year deal at #EFC, despite other PL clubs’ interest he only wanted Everton.”
He spent one season at Olympique Marseille after joining them from Sheffield United last summer and was a pivotal player to the club’s success in the just concluded season. Everton have had a longstanding interest in the midfielder prior to his move to OM and they have finally gotten their man.
NIAKHATE SAYS GOODBYE
In a desperate attempt to raise funds and balance their books, Nottingham Forest has resorted to offloading some of their players. France-born Senegalese center-back Moussa Niakhate is one of the players bearing the brunt of this decision, completing a permanent move to Olympique Lyonnais for a reported £20m fee.
Famed journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed the transfer in a statement on X:
“Moussa Niakhaté has just signed his four-year contract as a new Olympique Lyon player right now. Announcement this week. Huge addition for OL, key money for #NFFC.”
GASPAR SIGNS FOR LECCE
Angolan center-back Kialonda Gaspar has completed a permanent move to Serie A side US Lecce. A dream move for the defender as he moves from Portuguese second division side Estrela da Amadora to the Series A side for a reported €2m fee. The 26-year-old signed a three-year contract until 2027, with an option for two further years and a 10% sell-on clause to his former club, in the case of a future sale. The defender has completed his medicals and both parties have announced the deal.
OKONKWO LEAVES ARSENAL
Following the expiration of his contract, Arthur Okonkwo and Arsenal FC opted against a renewal and he subsequently signed for Wrexham United. The goalkeeper spent the last two years of his contract on loan to Crewe Alexandra, Sturm Graz, and Wrexham. He impressed at Wrexham during his season-long loan from Arsenal, his performances earning him a spot in the EFL League Two Team of the Season and helping them secure automatic promotion to the EFL League One. The newly promoted side wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to sign him on a free, snapping up his services on a three-year deal. The goalkeeper remains eligible to represent Nigeria on the international stage.
CHIGWADA SIGNS FOR THE CLARETS
England-born Zimbabwean starlet David Chigwada has joined West Ham United on a free deal from Manchester City.
The youngster has shown a lot of potential and promise in his youth career. He famously invented a new piece of skill dubbed ‘The Chigwada Spin’ in a future Cup game against Ajax while he was still on the books of Man City. The skill went viral and rightly so! He signed a three-year deal with The Clarets and will play for their U18 side next season. The 2007 born forward has represented England at the youth levels, but his senior international career choice remains open.