SUMMER SALES FOOTBALL UPDATE
Hammers land Da Costa in swap
WEST HAM have snapped up defender Manuel Da Costa from Serie A side Fiorentina with forward Savio Nsereko moving in the other direction.
Centre back Da Costa, 23, was born in France but qualifies to play for Portugal. Formerly at Nancy in France and PSV in Holland, he joined the Viola in January 2008 but made just one first-team appearance before joining Sampdoria on loan last season.
Savio, the German Under-21 international returns to Italy after a disappointing seven-month spell at Upton Park after joining from Brescia for a fee of around £9m.
The Hammers earlier rejected an estimated £8m bid from Fiorentina for defender Matthew Upson but Da Costa’s arrival may now free up defender James Collins to join either Aston Villa or Stoke, although Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is said to be lining up a £2m bid for Sunderland full-back Phil Bardsley.
Bruce completes Turner deal
SUNDERLAND last night completed the signing of Hull defender Michael Turner in a deal which could rise up to around £12m.
The 25-year-old agreed personal terms and underwent a medical yesterday after the Black Cats agreed a fee with the Tigers, thought to stand at an initial £9m with add-ons.
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce said: “I believe that Michael is one of the country’s premier central defenders. I have been looking to add size and strength to the back line and Michael fits the bill perfectly.”
Hull, meanwhile, have failed in their attempts to sign Manchester City’s outcast striker Benjani.
The Tigers had agreed a £2.5m fee for the Zimbabwean but the transfer broke down over the 31-year-old’s personal terms.
Failure to land Benjani may now ensure Tigers boss Phil Brown keeps Daniel Cousin, who was expected to join newcomers Burnley on a season-long loan.
Wolves net double signing
NEWLY-PROMOTED Wolves made their intentions clear yesterday after boss Mick McCarthy completed an exciting double swoop.
First, McCarthy captured Ecuador midfielder Segundo Castillo on a season-long loan from Red Star Belgrade.
The 27-year-old spent last term on loan at Everton.
McCarthy then followed that up with the signing of Rapid Vienna’s 6ft 7in Austrian international striker Stefan Maierhofer.