Goal brings you all the latest news, rumours and deals related to African stars in the summer transfer market
Essien retires from international football
Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has announced his retirement from international football, after over 12 years of active service with Ghana.
The 35-year-old, who is currently without a club after parting ways with Indonesian outfit Persib Bandung, last featured for the Black Stars in 2014 at the Fifa World Cup in Brazil.
AC Milan in talks with Samassekou
AC Milan have started discussions over the signing of RB Salzburg midfielder Diadie Samassekou, Football Italia claims [via RMC Sport].
The Rossoneri are interested in luring the Mali international who has just a year remaining in his contract with the Austrian club to the Italian top-flight.
Akpom close to £2m PAOK move
Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom is set to join Greek side PAOK in the coming days after making just 12 first-team appearances for the Gunners, Goal understands.
The 22-year-old has spent several seasons out on loan with his most recent spell at Belgian side Sint-Truiden, where he scored six goals in 16 games last season.
Check out the full story on Goal !
West Ham reject Crystal Palace bid for Kouyate
West Ham have turned down Crystal Palace's £11 million offer for Cheikhou Kouyate, Football London reports.
The Hammers are demanding £15 million for the Senagal international who still has three years left on his contract.
The arrival of Jack Wilshere in Manuel Pellegrini's squad has made Kouyate dropped in the pecking order of options in the midfield and he might struggle for game time this season.
Fernando Adi hands Timbers transfer request
Fernando Adi has requested for a move away from Portland Timbers after being restricted to limited playing time, according to MLS Soccer .
The Nigerian forward has struggled for form under manger Giovanni Savarese and has lost his starting spot to Samuel Armenteros.
Timbers are reportedly in talks with MLS clubs to offload the 27-year-old designated player before the end of the American transfer window on August 8.
Eric Bailly not for sale
Eric Bailly will not be leaving Manchester United this summer despite Jose Mourinho's plans to reinforce his defence, according to Manchester Evening News .
The Red Devils have assured the Cote d'Ivoire international that his future is secured at the club as they look to sign Leicester's Harry Maguire and Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld before the transfer market closes.
Bailly has played in every of Manchester United's pre-season games and he is most likely to get the nod for their Premier League opener against Leicester City on August 10.
Zaha cools Crystal Palace exit rumours
After deleting a cryptic Instagram post on Friday, Wilfried Zaha has dismissed rumours linking him with a move away from Crystal Palace.
The Sun reports that the 25-year-old posted on his Instagram story to confirm that his deleted message that reads - 'Today is the day I make a change with everything' - has nothing to do with football.
Aboubakar emerges as Sevilla top target
Sevilla have made Cameroon forward Vincent Aboubakar their transfer priority as they look to strengthen their attacking force, Estadio Deportivo reports.
Aboubakar who is still under contract with Porto until 2021, attracted interest from Pablo Machin following an impressive 2017-18 campaign where he scored 24 goals across all competitions.
The La Liga outfit are also targeting Fluminense youngster Pedro Guilherme Abreu to challenge Wissam Ben Yedder and Luis Muriel.
Ayew completes Fenerbahce move
Fenerbahce have announced the signing of Andre Ayew on a season-long loan deal from Swansea City.
The Turkish giants confirmed the capture of the Ghana international during a public presentation on Friday.
Iwobi close to new Arsenal deal
Alex Iwobi is close to signing a new deal with Arsenal, head coach Unai Emery has confirmed.
Ahead of the Gunners' International Champions Cup game against PSG, Emery revealed that the Nigeria international whose contract runs until 2020 will soon ink fresh terms to commit his future to Arsenal.
West Ham hold talks over Marega move
West Ham United are targeting a deal for £22 million-rated Porto forward Moussa Marega, according to Daily Mail .
The Hammers have opened discussions for the Mali international who scored 23 goals last season in Porto's successful league campaign.
With Porto reportedly interested in Cheikhou Kouyate, the East London outfit could include the Senegal captain in the deal in order to make the move possible.
Ikeme retires from football
Nigeria and Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has called time on his career as a footballer having been kept out of action for 12 months.
The 32-year-old confirmed his retirement from professional football through a statement from his club on Friday.
Check out the full story on Goal right here !
Umar joins Rizespor on loan
Aminu Umar has been given a chance to continue in the Turkish top-flight next season after reaching a season-long loan deal with newly promoted Caykur Rizespor.
The Nigerian striker scored five goals in 31 league appearances for Osmanlıspor last term but was not enough to save them from relegation.
Check out the full story on Goal right here !
Sabaly expected at Napoli
Bordeaux defender Youssouf Sabaly is expected at Napoli for medical examination on Friday, Mercato365 reports.
The Partenopei are not ready to risk the signing of the Senegal international who has problem with his medial collateral ligament.
If the result turns out positive, club President Aurelio De Laurentiis will then make the decision of either signing the 25-year-old or PSV defender Santiago Arias after ruling out the arrival of both players at the Stadio San Paolo according to Calciomercato .
Leicester in talks for Jordan Ayew
Leicester City have opened talks with Swansea City over the transfer of Jordan Ayew, The Times reports.
Claude Puel is keen on strengthening his squad with the versatile forward who scored seven goals in Swansea City's underwhelming Premier League campaign last term.
Ayew has attracted lots of interests this summer, notable was Fulham's £8 million offer that was rejected by Graham Potter's side.
Nottingham Forest want Sheyi Ojo
Nottingham Forest have been linked with a move for £10m-rated Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo, according to the Sun .
Ojo is currently on tour with Liverpool in USA but the Reds are ready to cash in on the winger as he is nowhere near the first-team set-up.
The 21-year-old scored four times in 24 appearances during his last loan spell in the Championship and helped Fulham win promotion to English top-flight last season.
Essien completes Uefa B coaching license
Chelsea legend Michael Essien is close to becoming a football manager after completing Uefa B coaching license, according to Ghana Soccernet .
The 35-year-old is now eligible to coach in Ghana Premier League but needs a Pro License to qualify for a coaching job in the English Premier League.
Crystal Palace & Porto in talks for Kouyate
According to SkySports News , Crystal Palace are discussing a £10 million summer move for Cheikhou Kouyate as they look to bolster their midfield following the departure of Yohan Cabaye.
The 28-year-old who joined the Hammers from Anderlecht in 2014 is reportedly not in Manuel Pellegrini's plans following the arrival of Jack Wilshere.
And the Hammers are ready to cash in on the Senegal international this summer even though he still has three years left on his contract.
The Sun claims that Porto are also holding talks to sign the midfielder.
Dortmund eye Belhanda
Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Morocco international Younes Belhanda from Galatasaray, Get Football News claims.
Dortmund coach Lucian Favre is plotting a reunion with his former Nice midfielder at the Signal Iduna Park.
Belhanda could become the second Moroccan to join the Bundesliga club this summer after Achraf Hakimi completed a two-year loan move from Real Madrid.
'Zaha perfect for Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs'
Former Crystal Palace winger John Salako believes Wilfried Zaha will be a great addition for Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur.
The Cote d'Ivoire international previously flopped at Manchester United back in 2013 before switching back to Selhurst Park where he has rebuilt his game and reputation.
Napoli reject €100m bid for Koulibaly
Napoli have turned down an offer worth €100 million by an unnamed English Premier League club for Kalidou Koulibaly, Calciomercato reports.
The Senegal international has attracted lots of interests from big European clubs with Chelsea being the closest but they were blocked following the capture of Maurizio Sarri and Jorginho.
The report claims that the unnamed club could have been Manchester United who possess such financial resources as they are currently in search for defensive reinforcement.
West Ham turn to Lemina
West Ham are considering a move for Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina as replacement for Pedro Obiang, according to SkySports News .
Obiang is closing in on a return to his former club Sampdoria after spending three years with the Hammers.
Lemina joined the the Saints from Juventus last summer for €17 million.
Juventus & Barcelona eye Sarr
Barcelona, Juventus and some clubs in the English Premier League have registered their interest in signing Senegal's World Cup Ismaila Sarr, agent Thierno Seydi revealed.
The 20-year-old's impressive showings at the world stage in Russia have drawn top European scouts to monitor and request for his availability this summer.
Check out his agent's full comments on Goal!