It's over and done. Kolo Toure has left Liverpool, and he isn't coming back. He's gone to Celtic, where he will presumably get way more playing time and become the most entertaining player in green and white since Thomas Gravesen left.
I'm trying to not be sad, because Kolo wouldn't want me to be sad.
In April of 2013, Mario Gotze became the most hated man in Dortmund after it was announced that Gotze, a product of Dortmund’s youth academy, would be transferring to fierce rivals Bayern Munich.
The timing of the announcement did little to help Gotze’s cause — it emerged on the eve of a momentous Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. Munich had met Gotze’s release clause of €37 million and the midfielder was keen to play under Pep Guardiola, much to the annoyance of then BVB manager Jurgen Klopp.
After seeing their $115 million offer for Paul Pogba swiftly declined by Juventus, Manchester United have reportedly returned with an improved offer of nearly $122 million.
At the end of every season, several players are let go from their clubs. Some because of constant injuries, some no longer fit with the club’s mentality, and others simply because they didn’t perform.
Here are a few summer 2016 free agents who could bounce back and revitalize their careers once they find a new home.
1. Emmanuel Adebayor
Remember when Adebayor was a beast? At least in FIFA, he was. Nevertheless, this is a player who was good enough to merit transfers and spells at clubs like Monaco, Arsenal, Manchester City, and even Real Madrid.
Between now and August 31st, expect to hear an incredible amount of noise regarding speculative transfers, rumors spun by players’ agents and utter nonsense from tabloids trying to sell papers. It's the summer transfer window!
It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times. Primarily, it’s the absolute worst. Especially if, like me, you’re a supporter of Newcastle United and seemingly about to lose every player in your squad.
Back in January, it appeared as though the writing was on the wall with regards to Francesco Totti’s professional career. His wife, Ilary Blasi, confirmed that Totti’s thoughts had turned away from football.
Graziano Pelle, who scored 11 Premier League goals in 30 appearances for Southampton last season, is about to make as much money as Zlatan Ibrahimovic after accepting a transfer to Chinese side Shandong Luneng.
The Italian international had been wanted by the likes of Chelsea and Everton, but he’s decided to leave Southampton in a £13 million transfer while signing a contract that will pay him £13.6 million per year for two years.
Jorge Sampaoli has just arrived in Sevilla after leading Chile to their 2015 Copa America title, but his plans for the club’s upcoming season are already running full steam ahead.
The former Chile manager, he resigned in January of 2016, watched with pride as La Roja once again captured the Copa this June. Now, he will be looking to match their success with his own at Sevilla.
Managing Sevilla will be the biggest club test of Sampaoli’s coaching career, and it’s an excellent opportunity to prove that he’s one of the finer managers in the world.
Twenty-nine-year-old Brazilian striker Hulk is set to smash the Asian transfer record fee, previously held by Brazilian Alex Teixeira, as he completes his $61.2 million move from Zenit St Petersburg to Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG.
Hulk will reportedly earn in excess of $42,000 per week with the Chinese club.
When Arsenal triggered Jamie Vardy’s £20 million release clause on June 3, it was easy to envision the beginning of the end for the Leicester City fairytale.
They’d just won the Premier League title, something Arsenal haven’t managed for 12 years, and qualified for the 2016-17 Champions League, but surely the uncertainty surrounding Leicester’s ability to do it all again come August could’ve majorly influenced Vardy.