World Soccer - UK (2020-02)

THE WORLD THIS MONTH

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI

(Juventus)

Signed from Atalanta for €35m, the

midfielder has returned on loan to

Parma until the end of the season.

MERGIM BERISHA

(Red Bull Salzburg)

The Germany under-21 striker was

recalled from a loan at SCR Altach to

replace Dortmund-bound Erling Haaland.

STRAHINJA PAVLOVIC

(Monaco)

The defender was signed for €10m then

re-joined Partizan Belgrade on loan.

“Watching United play now is a bit like an old man who

is trying to make love. You are trying with all your might

but, at the end of the day, everyone’s a little disappointed”

Eric Cantona on his former club Manchester United

Exequiel

PALACIOS

(Bayer Leverkusen)

Leverkusen has long been a destination

for ambitious South Americans looking

to make a name for themselves in the

European game and, following his

€22m January transfer from River

Plate, Palacios is the latest starlet

to demonstrate that ambition.

Linked with a move ever since his

starring role in River’s 2018 Libertadores

triumph, Real Madrid, Internazionale and

Arsenal were among the interested

teams, but the central midfielder – who

made his Argentina debut in August

2018 – has opted for a club with a track

record of signing and developing talent.

Asked if he believes this could be a

stepping stone to a bigger team, the

21-year-old said: “That’s one of the

reasons why I decided to come here.

“I know that Bayer gives me the basis

of taking the next step and that the big

clubs are keeping an eye on the players

from Bayer.”

JULIAN WEIGL

(Benfica)

Out of favour at Borussia Dortmund,

the Germany midfielder joined the

Portuguese champions for €20m.

ADIL AOUCHICHE

(Paris Saint-Germain)

The 17-year-old scored his first senior

goal in a 6-0 victory over Linas-

Montlhery in the French Cup.

ALEXANDER NUBEL

(Schalke)

The 23-year-old goalkeeper will join

Bayern Munich on a free this summer.