By FRANCO PANIZO
The Barcelona-Alexis Sanchez ordeal has come to a close, and Barcelona has gotten its man.
Barcelona officially signed Sanchez from Udinese, the Spanish club announced on its website on Thursday. The deal is for five years and the transfer fee was worth an estimated $42.3 million plus another $18.7 million in variables.
Sanchez, who was just a part of Chile's team in the Copa America, spent the last three seasons with Udinese. He was voted best player in Serie A last year, having scored 12 goals in 31 games.
Here are more transfer stories from around the world:
MANCHESTER CITY TO ENTER NEGOTIATIONS FOR AGUERO
Sergio Aguero has made no secret about his ambitions to want to go and play at a bigger club, and those desires could soon see him playing for Manchester City.
City are ready to enter formal talks with Atletico Madrid to work out a deal for Aguero, who is fresh off of scoring three goals for Argentina in the Copa America. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini also said earlier in the week that he expects City to bid for Aguero in the coming days.
Aguero was seen as a potential replacement for international teammate Carlos Tevez, who looked to be on his way to Corinthians before the deal fell through. But Aguero could now team up with Tevez at Manchester City if the former's potential transfer is completed and the latter stays.
HEINZE CLOSE TO ROMA SWITCH
Gabriel Heinze might not be a free agent for much longer. AS Roma are closing in on the capture of Heinze, who is reportedly going to sign a one-year deal with the club. The deal will include an option for another season. The 33-year-old defender most recently played for Olympique de Marseille before leaving the club earlier this year.
CAPDEVILA JOINS BENFICA
Benfica has found their replacement for Fabio Coentrao. The Portuguese heavyweight has signed Villarreal defender Joan Capdevila to a two-year deal, one that includes a $28.7 million release clause. Capdevila's switch to Benfica ends his four-year stay with Villarreal.
EVERTON TURNS DOWN ARSENAL'S JAGIELKA BID
It looks like Arsenal might go two consecutive summers without signing one player Arsene Wenger clearly rates. Just as it did last summer, Arsenal has made a bid for Everton defender Phil Jagielka. But like last year, Everton has rejected the bid, worth a reported $16.3 million. Jagielka signed a new four-year deal with the Toffees in March.
MILAN DOWNPLAYS INTEREST IN MONTOLIVO, GANSO
AC Milan has denied interest in Fiorentina midfielder Ricardo Montolivo and Brazil international Ganso. Both players were reportedly on AC Milan's list of potential transfer targets, but club vice president Adriano Galliani has stated that neither is currently a priority. Galliani also said there are no current negotiations in place.
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What do you think of Sanchez (finally) joining Barcelona? How do you see Heinze faring with Roma? Do you see Aguero signing with Man City?
Share your thoughts below.
