Football latest: Transfer news at Manchester United and Bayern, plus Manchester City’s Gundogan eyes return

All the latest from the big leagues including Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, plus another big name moves to China

Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan. Reuters
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Swede Lindelof to join Man United

Manchester United have reached an agreement to sign Swedish international centre-back Victor Lindelof from Benfica for €35 million (Dh144m), the Europa League champions announced on Saturday.

“Manchester United is pleased to announce that it has reached agreement with Benfica for the transfer of Victor Lindelof, subject to a medical examination, international clearance and personal terms,” United said in a statement.

“A further announcement will be made once the transfer is complete.”

Gundogan ready to return for Man City

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said on Sunday that he hopes to be fit for the start of the new season after recovering from the cruciate knee ligament injury that has prevented him from playing competitive football this year.

The 26-year-old Germany international impressed in his first season for the club, playing 16 games before sustaining the serious injury against Watford on December 14.

Gundogan returned to light training last week, working with the ball for the first time.

“I think I’m in a good way,” he told the club’s official website. “I’m working hard. So hopefully I can join the rest of the lads for preseason - maybe not 100 percent but I am increasing day by day the work and hopefully being ready for the first Premier League game.

“Watching from the sidelines is one of the most difficult things,”

Reus raring to go for Dortmund

Germany international Marco Reus already has his sights set on getting back into action after knee surgery.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder suffered a partial tear in his cruciate ligament in the DFB Pokal final against Eintracht Frankfurt two weeks ago.

The 28-year-old, who missed the 2014 World Cup due to an ankle problem, posted a thumbs up photo of himself on social media following the operation and is focused on getting through his rehabilitation programme, which is expected to be around six months.

“The surgery went fine and I’m already on the road to recovery,” Reus wrote in a post on his personal Facebook and Instagram sites.

“Now there is a relatively long rehab phase which I will follow. I will tackle this with everything I have and I’ll do anything to be back soon on the pitch.

“I always come back strong and this will also be the case this time.

Former England manager moves to China

Former England and AC Milan manager Fabio Capello has been named as the new manager of Chinese Super League side Jiangsu Suning, the club said on social media on Sunday.

Capello replaces Choi Yong-soo, who resigned earlier this month to return to coach FC Seoul in his native South Korea after Jiangsu were knocked out of the Asian Champions League in the round of 16 by fellow Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.

The Italian, who won the UEFA Champions League with AC Milan in 1994 and who was at the helm with England at the World Cup finals in 2010, takes over a Jiangsu side that are 15th in the 16-team championship having won just once so far this year in the league.

The current campaign has been a struggle for the club after they finished as runners-up in both the league and Chinese Cup last year.

Capello is the latest big name coach to move to China, with Super League leaders and reigning champions Guangzhou Evergrande currently managed by 2002 World Cup winner Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Gnabry signs for Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich have signed former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry on a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old made his Arsenal breakthrough in 2012 but after struggling to command a regular berth - and a loan spell with West Bromwich Albion - joined Werder Bremen last summer.

An impressive season which yielded 11 goals from 27 appearances brought him to Bayern’s attention and the two-time Germany international has now joined the Bundesliga champions.

“It is a great honour to be part of FC Bayern,” he said. “Before me lies an exciting time, which I am very much looking forward to.”

Rangers sign up Portuguese youngster

Rangers have signed winger Daniel Candeias from Benfica on a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old wide player is a former Portugal age-group international who has yet to make a full international appearance.

He joined Benfica from Nacional in 2014 but failed to make a first-team breakthrough with the Lisbon giants and has instead spent the last three seasons on loan to clubs outside Portugal.

After stints with German side Nuremberg, Spanish outfit Granada, French club Metz and Turkish top-flight newcomers Alanyaspor, he has taken up the chance to move to Scotland.

He joins up for a second time with Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha, who had Candeias in his squad at Nacional in 2011/12.

A Rangers statement said: “Rangers are delighted to announce the signing of Daniel Candeias on a two-year-deal from Portuguese side Benfica.”

Sa Pinto in at Standard Liege

Former Portuguese international Ricardo Sa Pinto, 44, has been named as the new manager of Standard Liege, the Belgian giants announced on Sunday.

Sa Pinto played for Standard towards the end of his playing career. Last season, he managed Greek outfit Atromitos and had a previous stint at Sporting in Lisbon.

Standard are 10-time Belgian champions but have just endured a disappointing season, missing out on the Belgian championship play-offs for the second season running.

According to Belgian media, Sa Pinto was not the club’s first choice for the position – French former Lyon and Aston Villa manager Remi Garde had been among the other names linked to the post.

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