Transfer Centre

Transfer rumours: Le Normand to Atletico, Georgia star to Bayern, Almiron to Saudi

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 01 July 2024

Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer news and rumours, including Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid, Giorgi Mamardashvili to Bayern Munich and Miguel Almiron to Saudi Arabia.

Atletico Madrid have reportedly reached an agreement with Real Sociedad to sign defender Robin Le Normand.

The 27-year-old has spent the last six years at Sociedad and has made 221 appearances in all competitions, including 43 outings last season.

Le Normand's impressive performances are understood to have caught the eye of a number of top European teams in recent seasons, including Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

However, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid have an agreement in place with Sociedad to sign the centre-back for €30m (£25.5m).

Romano claims that personal terms have already been agreed over a long-term contract and Le Normand is keen to make the move to the Spanish capital.

Le Normand is currently away on international duty with Spain at Euro 2024 and although he scored an unfortunate own goal against Georgia on Sunday, he helped La Roja come from behind to win their last-16 tie by a 4-1 scoreline.

Georgia's Giorgi Mamardashvili reacts on March 28, 2023 © Reuters

Georgia star claims "it's currently not possible" to join Bayern

Staying with Georgia and their goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has commented on speculation linking him with a move to Bayern Munich.

The 23-year-old has spent the last three seasons at La Liga outfit Valencia and has made exactly 100 appearances in all competitions, keeping 13 clean sheets in 37 league matches last season.

Mamardashvili still has three years remaining on his contract at Valencia, but the shot-stopper has been heavily linked with a summer exit, with Los Che allegedly prepared to sell him for a fee between €35m (£29.6m) and €40m (£33.9m).

Bayern came close to signing Mamardashvili last summer and they continued to be linked with the Georgian, but he has seemingly ruled out a potential move to the Bundesliga giants.

"Bayern still have the best goalkeeper in the world (Manuel Neuer)," Mamardashvili told Sky Deutchland. "It's currently not possible to move there. I would only go there if I'll play. If I don't play, then not".

Mamardashvili was a standout performer for Georgia at Euro 2024 this summer and bows out of the tournament having remarkably made twice as many saves as any other goalkeeper (29) thus far.

Newcastle United's Miguel Almiron celebrates scoring their second goal on December 16, 2023. © Reuters

Almiron heading to Saudi Pro League?

Elsewhere, Newcastle United are reportedly in talks with a Saudi Pro League club over the sale of winger Miguel Almiron.

The 30-year-old joined the Magpies from MLS side Atlanta United for around £20m in 2019 and has since chipped in with 30 goals and 12 assists in 209 appearances across all competitions.

Almiron still has two years left on his contract at St James' Park, but Sky Sports News claims that an unnamed Saudi Pro League club are in discussions with Newcastle over a potential deal to sign the winger.

The Paraguay international was strongly linked with a big-money switch to the Middle East in January, but he allegedly turned down the chance to join Al Shabab, who were willing to pay £30m.

Newcastle are no longer under pressure to cash in on players as their Profit and Sustainability (PSR) issues have been eased thanks to the sales of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh for a combined fee in excess of £65m.