Transfer News Roundup – July 19th: Benjamin Mendy Signs with Lorient, Barcelona Makes Surprise Signing, Seko Fofana Explains His Departure from Lens.
1. Benjamin Mendy Returns to Ligue 1: Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy, cleared of all charges by the British justice system, has found a new club. The defender is set to join Lorient in Ligue 1. Lorient announced the signing in a statement, confirming a two-year contract for the 29-year-old French international.
2. Surprise Signing for Barcelona: Oriol Romeu makes a surprise return to FC Barcelona after twelve years. The 31-year-old midfielder arrives to replace Sergi Busquets. The club has reached an agreement with Gérone for Romeu’s transfer, and he will sign a three-year deal until June 2026.
3. PSG Targets Rafa Marin: PSG, led by Luis Campos, is eyeing Real Madrid’s Rafa Marin. With only one year left on his contract with Castilla, the French club is eager to secure his services. However, Real Madrid is looking to retain 50% of the player’s economic rights, causing a potential obstacle in the deal.
4. Seko Fofana’s Controversial Move: Seko Fofana’s departure to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia has left Lens supporters disappointed. The midfielder signed a contract until 2026 with the Saudi club, reportedly earning five times more than he did at Lens. In a farewell message, Fofana thanked the fans for their passion and support during his three seasons at the club.