EPL Transfer round up: Liverpool extend skipper Henderson's contract

Liverpool have extended captain Jordan Henderson's contract, the Premier League side said on Tuesday, putting an end to speculation over his future at the Merseyside club.

Liverpool did not mention the length of the contract but British media reported he had extended his stay at Anfield until 2025.

Henderson, 31, joined the club in 2011 and has made nearly 400 appearances since, taking the captain's armband in 2015. He led the club to their sixth Champions League crown in 2019 as well as their first league title in 30 years in 2020.

"I'm obviously very honoured and proud to continue the journey I've already been on here," Henderson said in a statement.

"It's amazing to finally get it done and just concentrate on looking forward and what the future may hold. I'm in a different place of course, as a player and as a person, from when I first walked in."

Liverpool are fifth in the standings after their 1-1 draw with Chelsea over the weekend. They travel to Leeds United on Sept. 12 when the league resumes after the international break.

West Ham sign Croatian playmaker Vlasic

West Ham United have signed Croatian attacking midfielder Nikola Vlasic from Russian side CSKA Moscow on a five-year contract, the English Premier League club said on Tuesday.

West Ham did not disclose the transfer fee but British media reported the London club agreed a fee of 30 million euros ($35.47 million) plus nine million euros in add-ons for Vlasic, who has 26 caps for Croatia and also scored at Euro 2020.

Vlasic, 23, makes a return to the English top flight where he spent one season with Everton in 2017-18.

"A teenage prodigy with Hajduk Split, Vlasic has already played more than 250 senior matches, scored 33 goals and assisted 21 more for CSKA over the previous three seasons, and was named Russian Premier League Footballer of the Year in 2020," West Ham said in a statement

"The player has been extensively scouted and the creative attacker will add top-class quality and experience to David Moyes' squad."

West Ham have had a bright start under Moyes and sit second in the standings after three games, two points behind league leaders Tottenham Hotspur. Moyes' side next play Southampton on Sept. 11 when the league resumes after the international break.

Juventus sign Everton striker Kean on two-year loan

Juventus have signed Moise Kean on a two-year loan from Everton, the Serie A club said on Tuesday, as the Italian striker returns to the side where he made his professional debut.

Juventus said they agreed to pay a loan fee of seven million euros ($8.28 million), with three million euros to be paid in the 2021-22 season and four million euros next season.

Kean, who came through Juve's youth system, made his senior debut in 2016 at the age of 16, becoming the club's youngest debutant and their second youngest scorer in Serie A.

"The 21-year-old returns to the club, where not only did he take his first steps in professional football, but where he grew up, as a boy and a player, within our youth sector," Juventus said in a statement.

Kean was the first player born in the 2000s to score a goal in Europe's top five leagues and has nine caps for Italy. He spent last season on loan at Paris St Germain.

Juventus have recently sold Cristiano Ronaldo https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/man-united-agree-deal-re-sign-ronaldo-juventus-2021-08-27 -- last season's top scorer in Serie A -- to Manchester United.

Leaving Watford feels like 'losing a family member' - Deeney

Troy Deeney said leaving Premier League side Watford after 11 years felt like losing a family member after he sealed a move to boyhood team Birmingham City in the second-tier Championship on a two-year deal.

The 33-year-old, who had a year left on his contract, leaves as Watford's top scorer with 140 goals in over 400 appearances, helping them achieve promotion to the Premier League twice.

"It's weird being asked to express my feelings for Watford and the emotions attached to leaving this wonderful place. I feel sadness and a loss similar to losing a family member," Deeney said in a video message on the club website https://www.watfordfc.com/video/alternative-view-1/troy-deeney-a-message-to-the-fans#play

"I feel excitement about my new journey and what's to come in the future.

"Most of all I feel tremendous pride at what I've achieved ... and the friendships and connections we've made – the people, staff, fans. Watford has literally changed my life."

Deeney, who became Watford's captain ahead of the 2014-15 campaign, led the club back to the Premier League that season with 21 goals and 10 assists.

The club spent five seasons in the top flight before dropping into the Championship at the end of the 2019-20 campaign but bounced back up a year later.

"Through the many highs and the occasional lows, Troy Deeney's name has been inextricably linked for 11 years with Watford," club chairman and CEO Scott Duxbury said.

"I believe we have been good for him and I know he has been incredibly good for us."

Maitland-Niles asks to leave Arsenal, Willian terminates contract

Midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has asked to leave Arsenal due to a lack of playing time while Brazil winger Willian has left the struggling Premier League club after his contract was mutually terminated.

Maitland-Niles, who can also play at right back, has been used sparingly by manager Mikel Arteta and spent the second half of last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, where he played 15 times in the league.

The 24-year-old England international has been linked with a loan move to Everton by British media but is running out of time to secure a switch away from bottom side Arsenal with the transfer window closing late on Tuesday.

"All I want to do is go where I'm wanted and where I'm going to play," he wrote on Instagram.

Arsenal have got off to their worst start to a season in 67 years, with Arteta's side losing all three of their games without scoring a single goal.

They lost 5-0 to Manchester City on Saturday.

The club said on Monday Willian had been freed ahead of a switch to Corinthians on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old has struggled for form since he arrived at Arsenal from fellow London side Chelsea last year and made 38 appearances in the 2020-21 campaign.

"He had two more years to run on his contract but following positive ... discussions with him and his team, he'll be leaving for a new opportunity with Corinthians in Brazil where he began his career," Arsenal said in a statement https://www.arsenal.com/news/willian-leaves-club-mutual-consent

Before his move to Arsenal, Willian scored 63 goals in 339 appearances in a trophy-laden spell with Chelsea after arriving from Russia's Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013.

He leaves England having won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Europa League.