Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul is having a medical at Sunderland, according to reports. The 29-year-old Kaboul would become head coach Dick Advocaat’s fourth summer signing if he completes a move. The Black Cats have signed defenders Sebastian Coates and Adam Matthews as well as midfielder Jeremain Lens so far this summer.
Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been showing off his diving skills on the club’s pre-season tour of Asia much to the delight of on looking Mesut Ozil.
Former Manchester City striker Robinho has joined Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. The Brazil international, 31, has signed on a free for six months and will wear the number 60 jersey. Guangzhou Evergrande are managed by ex-Brazil and Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes will be sold after manager Louis van Gaal claimed he “refused to play” in the reserves. But Valdes has tweeted pictures of reserve games from his time at Old Trafford.
World Cup winner Kaka scored for Orlando City as the Major League Soccer side beat West Brom 3-1 in a friendly in Florida. The Baggies took a 14th-minute lead through Callum McManaman’s goal but 33-year-old Kaka, who helped Brazil win the 2002 World Cup, equalised when he ran with the ball from 40 yards out and scored past Boaz Myhill. Second-half goals from Carlos Rivas and Bryan Rochez secured the win for the American side.
Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat has also been adding to his squad. The Black Cats have signed Netherlands midfielder Jeremain Lens from Dynamo Kiev for £8m. The 27-year-old, who has joined on a four-year contract, worked with Advocaat at AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven. If you want to know what sort of player he is, he’s quite happy to tell you. “My qualities are that I’m fast, I can score goals and I can create chances,” said Lens. Lens is Sunderland’s third signing of the summer after the arrivals of defenders Adam Matthews and Sebastian Coates from Celtic and Liverpool respectively.
Manchester United goalkeeper Victor Valdes will be sold after manager Louis van Gaal claimed he “refused to play” in the reserves. The 33-year-old Spain international was a surprise omission from the pre-season squad currently touring the US. “He doesn’t follow my philosophy. There is no place for someone like that,” said Van Gaal of his January signing. United’s number one David De Gea, 24, has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer. Valdes, who won La Liga six times with Barcelona, joined United as De Gea’s back-up after recovering from major knee surgery. Van Gaal responded to questions about Valdes’ absence. He said: “Last year, he refused to play in the second team and there are other aspects you need as a keeper at United. “When you are not willing to follow those principles, there is only one way and that is out. “It is a big disappointment. It is a pity because we have given him the opportunity to rehabilitate, gave him a contract and then he is fit to play.” Valdes, whose contract expires in 2016, made three appearances for the under-21 side last season – against Liverpool in January, Chelsea in February and Spurs in March. His only first-team start was in United’s final game of last season, and Van Gaal added: “I played him at Hull because I wanted to help. I am always a very social human being.”