Transfer talk: Arsenal claim Calum Chambers; AS Monaco spend big on teenager Bakayoko

Arsene Wenger bought England Under-19 star Chambers from Southampton on Monday, while the French second-place finishers purchased Tiemoue Bakayoko from Stade Rennais.

Arsenal

Southampton lost another key player Monday when Arsenal completed the signing of 19-year-old defender Calum Chambers as part of Arsenal’s preparations for a renewed assault on the Premier League title.

The transfer fee for what Arsenal called a “long-term” deal was undisclosed but is thought to be in the region of more than £16 million (Dh99.1m).

Chambers continues the exodus of players from Southampton this summer, following the departures of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren to Liverpool and Luke Shaw to Manchester United.

“We are very pleased that Calum has agreed to join us,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “The way he adapted to the Premier League last season with Southampton at a young age shows that he has tremendous quality.

“He has a lot of the attributes that we look for in a young player and I am sure that he will do well with us.”

Chambers, who is currently captain of the England Under-19 side, made his Premier League debut on the opening day of last season and went on to appear in 22 league games.

“I am so happy to be signing for Arsenal,” Chambers said. “They are a team I have much admired for their playing style, and a team who have been one of the top sides in Europe for many years.

“I’m looking forward to joining up with my new teammates today and beginning preparation for the season ahead.”

Southampton indicated it had no choice.

“Calum made it clear to us that he did not see his future at Southampton,” executive director Les Reed said. “As such, it was crucial that we were able to negotiate a substantial fee that also reflects the work our staff have put into Calum’s development since he joined the club at the age of eight.

“Our position remains unchanged in that we are determined to keep our best young players at the club ... It is important in the transfer window to remain calm, resilient and above all patient. We have targets, and we are working hard to get them across the line.”

AS Monaco

Monaco have strengthened their midfield in preparation for their first Champions League campaign in 10 years by signing Tiemoue Bakayoko from Stade Rennais, the club said on Monday.

The 19-year-old has joined on a five-year contract for a fee which media reports have put at EU€8m (Dh39.4m) after an impressive breakthrough season with Rennes.

The defensive midfielder made 28 appearances in all competitions last term.

“I am going to discover a new club. Monaco are a club going places in French and world football so this is obviously a good thing. It’s a new challenge and I think I am ready for it,” said Bakayoko, who turns 20 next month.

Wealthy Monaco finished second in Ligue 1 last term but sold World Cup top scorer James Rodriguez to Real Madrid last month.

Lorient

Ghana forward Jordan Ayew has joined Lorient on a four-year deal from Marseille, the buying club said Monday.

“The style and quality of play that is proposed here is perfect for me,” said Ayew, whose older brother Andre remains a Marseille player.

Ayew had already joined Sochaux on loan in January as he struggled to secure a regular spot in the Marseille starting XI.

The 22-year-old is following in his older brother’s footsteps as Andre Ayew, 24, spent a season on loan at Lorient in 2008/09.

Both brothers represented Ghana at the World Cup in Brazil.

Ronaldinho

Former world player of the year Ronaldinho has left Atletico Mineiro, the club said Monday.

The 34-year-old left on amicable terms after a meeting between his agent and brother Roberto de Assis and the club president Alexandre Kalil, Mineiro’s press service told AFP.

The former Barcelona, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain forward had been contracted to the Belo Horizonte-based club until December.

De Assis said Ronaldinho and Kalil will give a joint press conference on Wednesday where the player will clarify his future.

However, retirement is apparently not on the agenda.

“He will play until he’s 42. He will reveal his future destination on Wednesday,” said De Assis, according to the Globo Esporte website.

The 2004 and 2005 world player of the year came to Europe in 2001, joining PSG from Gremio.

He won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2006, as well as back-to-back La Liga titles in 2005 and 2006. He also added a Serie A crown with Milan in 2011.

He returned home to Flamengo in 2011 but walked away from the Rio club after a year over a salary dispute.

He then scored 28 goals in 88 matches for Mineiro, for whom his last match was last Wednesday.

Lens

Lens on Monday had their promotion to Ligue 1 confirmed after successfully appealing a ban to the top flight on financial grounds.

The club were initially barred from taking their place in the French top flight after failing to produce the prerequisite EU€10m guarantee.

But their appeal to the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF), France’s highest sporting authority, was upheld and on Monday the French Football Federation confirmed the club would be rubbing shoulders with Paris Saint-Germain this coming season.

Lens’ appearance in Ligue 1 was subject to various conditions imposed in the CNOSF ruling.

Lens, who return to Ligue 1 after an absence of three seasons, are owned by Azerbaijani businessman Hafiz Mammadov, who also owns FC Baku and English Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

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