Transfer News: Peter Rufai moves to the great beyond after long illness

Football mourns Diogo Jota and Peter Rufai. Meanwhile, transfer news heats up with updates on Elanga, Lookman, Watkins, and Rodrygo.

Peter Rufai, Nigeria's goalkeeper to the 1994 and 1998 World Cup tournaments, has passed away at the age of 61. (Photo credit: BBC)

It was indeed a Black Thursday with the passing of two key football figures. We pay tribute to the departed Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai. Here you go with more transfer news from the current window.

No more saves as Dodo Mayana passes on.

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai, popularly known as Dodo Mayana, has passed on at the age of 61, reportedly after a long illness.

Rufai was in goal for Nigeria at the nation’s first-ever World Cup in 1994 and was also the first-choice goalkeeper four years later in France. A member of the title-winning 1994 class at the Nations Cup and a legend of the game by all standards.

Newcastle waits on Nottingham Forest for Elanga.

Newcastle is playing the waiting game on former Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga as Nottingham Forest mulls over the bid from the Geordies.

Newcastle submitted a £55m bid for the Swede, a deal said to be worth the player’s release clause; Elanga is itching to move, as the prospect of playing in the Champions League remains alluring to him. We keep an eye on this one, as it’s expected to get over the line soon.

Atalanta signs Suleman, set to lose Lookman?

Southampton’s Kamaldeen Sulemana has joined Atalanta for a fee of £15m, and he’s expected to be the replacement for Nigerian winger Ademola Lookman, who looks set to leave the Italian club.

A host of European clubs are after the signature of the reigning African Footballer of the Year, and he is guaranteed a move away now that the club has replaced him. Barcelona, Arsenal, and Bayern Munich are among the clubs asking about the winger.

Manchester United turns to Watkins.

With Viktor Gyokeres set to move to Arsenal, Manchester United has now turned their attention to Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins as they seek a proven goal scorer up front.

The Red Devils struggled for goals last season, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to step into greatness; Matheus Cunha has already joined, and Bryan Mbeumo is set to be the next in line. Watkins could well be lining up with the duo at Old Trafford next season.

Real Madrid is ready to part ways with Rodrygo.

Rodrygo Goes and Xabi Alonso have had a face-to-face talk, and reports suggest that Real Madrid is willing to part ways with the Brazilian winger if the right offer arrives.

Arsenal remains the favourite to sign Rodrygo if he does leave Real Madrid, but the Gunners will have to sell someone up front to accommodate the Brazilian. It would take a bid of £70m upwards to convince Real Madrid to sell the winger, and Arsenal is believed to be interested regardless.