Transfer round-up: Real get Kroos, Ba leaves Chelsea
Real Madrid have completed the signing of Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos on a six-year contract.
The Bavarian giants have struggled to agree a new deal with the World Cup-winning playmaker and have opted to cash in on the 24-year-old rather than lose him on a free transfer.
Both clubs confirmed the deal on their respective websites and while no fee was disclosed, media reports place the transfer fee at around 25 million euros ($42m).
Kroos made his debut for Bayern at the age of 17 in 2007 and went on to make 173 Bundesliga appearances which includes an 18-month loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen.
In the English Premier League, Chelsea have sold striker Demba Ba to Besiktas for a reported £8 million ($17m) fee.
The Senegal striker has struggled for consistency since moving to Stamford Bridge from Newcastle United and has been deemed surplus to requirements after the Blues' purchase of Spanish international Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid.
Ba is expected to don the No. 9 shirt for his new club, who finished third in the Turkish top flight last season and will compete in the Champions League qualifiers.
In more striker-related news, West Ham have completed the £12m signing of Ecuador's World Cup striker Enner Valencia from Mexican side Pachuca while Newcastle have also confirmed a £5m deal for Monaco striker Emmanuel Riviere.
Finally, one for the "Where are they now" file: Argentine midfielder Juan Iturbe has joined Italian side Roma for £17.4m from Verona.
The 21-year-old has been likened to Lionel Messi in the past and was linked to AC Milan and and Juventus before penning a five-year deal with the Giallorossi.
Sources: BBC, PA Sport, Wire Services
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