ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI has told Bayern Munich he wants to play abroad before the end of his career.
The Polish striker, 32, says he is happy at the serial Bundesliga winners, but wants to experience football in a different country at some point.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has taken to Instagram to furiously deny rumours that he will join Real Madrid.
Meanwhile Harry Kane will miss Tottenham’s Europa Conference League tie vs Pacos de Ferreira, with Man City yet to meet Daniel Levy’s asking price.
Kane has held talks with new Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo over breakfast at Tottenham’s training ground, though the Portuguese does not yet have a return date in place for the captain.
And Tammy Abraham has been praised by Jose Mourinho after completing his transfer to Roma.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET £60 IN FREE BETS FOR THE NEW PREMIER LEAGUE WITH WILLIAM HILL
⚽️Dream Team 2021/22 – pick a team now for the chance to win £100⚽️
Follow ALL of the latest news and updates below…
GUNNING FOR HIM
Aaron Ramsdale has been targeted with a torrent of vile abuse by ‘pathetic’ Arsenal ‘fans’, writes DAVE FRASER.
It’s forced the Gunners’ transfer target to limit who can comment on his Instagram posts.
The England stopper, 23, is now just hours away from signing for the Gunners in a £30million move from Sheffield United.
Ramsdale is expected to sign his contract at the Emirates on Thursday after the two clubs agreed on a fee on Wednesday evening.
The move has been widely panned by pundits in recent weeks.
Jamie O’Hara claimed selling Emiliano Martinez for £20m and signing Ramsdale for £30m a year later was a mistake.
The talkSPORT star is not alone either, with others suggesting spending £30m for a ‘backup’ goalkeeper is paying over the odds.
But a small section of sick Arsenal supporters have gone too far, trolling and even appearing to threaten Ramsdale on Instagram.
TCHOU OF CLASS
Man Utd are interested in signing French midfield sensation Aurelien Tchouameni, according to reports.
And could launch a late move to sign the £34m-rated Monaco midfielder.
According to journalist Duncan Castles on the Transfer Window Podcast, with Paul Pogba’s current contract situation – United are preparing for the possibility of life after the Frenchman.
Castles said: “Manchester United, [Tchouameni] very much falls within their scouting remit.
“The targeting of that kind of younger cadre of players who can develop into top stars has been more of a focus in recent years.
“He is an obvious fit for Manchester United if the change in midfield happens that we’ve been talking about for so long, which is that Paul Pogba doesn’t sign a new contract at Man Utd or is sold this summer.
“Again, most likely avenue for that to happen is Paris Saint-Germain at present.
“Then you bring in Tchouameni who would certainly be much lower maintenance than Pogba, should be more consistent in his performance.
“If they have that space in their squad created by Pogba, then Tchouameni is one of the options to replace.
“He would be cheaper than options like Declan Rice, who has been mentioned as an option for them. I’m told Monaco value him at around €40m.”
DEAL TO BE DONE
Former Arsenal player Kevin Campbell believes there’s a deal to be done should Barcelona come calling for club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
It is believed that the cash-strapped LaLiga giants are willing to offer Philippe Coutinho as part of the deal.
But Campbell would rather see the Gunners sign others from Barca.
He told Football Insider: “Coutinho has suffered a lot of injuries.
“On his day he’s world-class, the problem is there haven’t been many of those days in the last 18 months.
“That’s a big risk. If Aubameyang wants out, Barcelona want to use trades.
“Even if it’s not Coutinho, Barcelona have a good right back, they have a good goalkeeper in Ter Stegen.
“I don’t think Coutinho is the answer but there are plenty of other players who we could take.
“If Barcelona come in for Aubameyang, there is a deal to be done. Arsenal hold the cards.
“But another attacker? No, not for me.”
LUUK AT THAT
West Ham are interested in signing Sevilla forward Luuk De Jong, according to reports.
90Min are reporting that De Jong is on the Hammers’ radar, who are frantically trying to find a striker before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.
The 30-year-old is a potential option for the Hammers, with Michail Antonio proving unreliable at staying fit.
And Antonio is set to change his international allegiances to Jamaica, adding more fixtures to the already stacked calendar for the forward.
Credit: Getty MILAN MOVE OVER
AC Milan look set to throw in the towel in their pursuit of Hakim Ziyech, according to reports in Italy.
Calciomercato claim the club believe it will be impossible to secure a loan move for the winger with Thomas Tuchel keen on seeing the player return to action.
The news comes as the winger, who had a decent pre-season, continues his recovery from a shoulder injury sustained during Chelsea’s Super Cup win against Villarreal.
And it is reported Tuchel sees the forward, 28, who battled with knee and hip injuries last season, as being part of his plans for the Blues’ campaign this term.
Before his side’s defeat of Crystal Palace, Tuchel said: “The situation (with Ziyech’s injury) is we don’t need surgery, which is very good news for this kind of problem.
“We hope it will continue like this and he will be back on the pitch within the next two weeks. We hope this, we cannot promise, but this is what we hope.”
‘MORE GOOD THINGS’
Kylian Mbappe has more chance of signing for Real Madrid after Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.
That is according to Los Blancos midfielder Toni Kroos.
Speaking to his brother on their podcast Einfach mal luppen, the German said: “We’ll see how it all works out (Messi to PSG).
“Maybe the move is good for us because our biggest competitor has lost their best player.
“And maybe even more good things will come out of it as a result.
“Maybe [a player] from Paris joins us… If that (Mbappe joining Madrid) should actually happen – I don’t know – this whole Messi deal would certainly not be a disadvantage for us.”
TOR BLIMEY
Arsenal flop Shkodran Mustafi has been thrown a career lifeline by Torino, according to reports.
The Gunners paid Valencia £35million for the German international in 2016.
However centre-back Mustafi, 29, failed to live up to expectations and made a series of high-profile blunders.
He was released in February and joined Schalke, but the German club let him go following their relegation from the Bundesliga.
Reports in Italy and Germany now claim Mustafi’s father – who acts as his agent – has held talks with Torino officials.
The former Everton youngster is understood to be seeking a three-year deal worth around £5m.
Serie A Torino are seeking a new central defender after French stalwart Nicolas Nkoulou’s contract expired.
TIME TO STRIKE
Manchester City remain odds-on to sign Harry Kane this summer despite Tottenham’s reluctance to let him go.
City are still keen to add Kane and could go as high as £150m to get him.
And Betfair have priced City at 4/6 to get their man.
He is 11/10 to stay where is and not leave Tottenham.
PSG are 25/1 to sign him this summer while Manchester United are 33/1.
Harry Kane next club – Betfair odds
- Manchester City – 4/6
- Remain at Tottenham – 10/11
- Paris Saint-Germain – 25/1
- Manchester United – 33/1
- Chelsea – 40/1
- Real Madrid – 40/1
- Liverpool – 40/1
BETFAIR – GET £20 IN FREE ACCAS*
RACE AGAINST TIME
Arsenal face a race against time to complete the signings of Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale if they are to make the squad for this weekend’s clash with Chelsea.
The Gunners are on the brink of completing £30million deals for the attacking midfielder and goalkeeper from Real Madrid and Sheffield United respectively.
Mikel Arteta is hoping to bolster his squad following his side’s shock Premier League opening day defeat the hands of newly-promoted Brentford.
But Arsenal next go up against rampant Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday.
And should Arteta want Odegaard and/or Ramsdale to make the match-day squad, they must be registered by midday on FRIDAY.
M-ORE TO COME
Tottenham will make an approach for Wolves star Adama Traore if Harry Kane leaves the club, according to reports.
The Spanish winger enjoyed considerable success under new Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo during his time at Molineux.
According to the Daily Mail, Wolves are bracing themselves for an offer from Tottenham for Traore if Kane joins Manchester City.
Kane, 28, has been linked with City for weeks and Spurs can expect a windfall of around £150million if the deal goes through.
Traore, 25, has flourished at Wolves since joining the club in August 2018 – and much of that has to do with his former coach Nuno.
The winger struggled to show his best before moving to Wolves, enduring tricky spells at Barcelona, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.
Traore is now one of the brightest talents in the Prem and a six-cap Spain international, earning a place in Luis Enrique’s squad for Euro 2020.
The Wolves ace has two years left on his existing deal and is thought to be valued at £45m – around a third of what Spurs could receive for Kane.
HARV DECISION
Harvey Barnes says committing himself to Leicester City for the next four years was a no-brainer – despite being linked with a big-money move to Liverpool.
Barnes credits Rodgers for giving him the confidence and desire to produce an end product to his scintillating wing play.
He revealed: “It’s something that he spoke to me about.
“He said: ‘You’re doing really well, but you need to make sure that as an attacking player, your stats match your performance’.
“Last year, they did do that, so I think he’s had a really big impact on me on that side of the game, and tactically as well. He has the same effect on everyone.
“I’ve been here for so many years now, it feels like home. For me, it was a no-brainer – of course, I wanted to extend my stay here.”
MO MONEY
Liverpool have allegedly started talks with Mo Salah to make him the best-paid player in their history.
The Egyptian superstar, who currently pockets £200,000-a-week, is allegedly in negotiations over a new four-year contract.
Salah, 29, is under contract until 2023 but the Reds want him to commit his future to them for a further two years.
That is according to The Athletic, who state it will be a record-breaking deal for the Merseyside club.
Virgil van Dijk is currently the Reds highest-earner on around £220,000-a-week deal.
But Liverpool’s sporting director Michael Edwards is currently on a contract extension spree.
He has already sealed extensions for the defender, Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer.
FAN OF RAM?
Arsenal are close to signing Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale in a deal worth up to £30million.
The proposed move has divided opinion among Gunners fans, with many not seeing him as an upgrade on current stopper Bernd Leno.
Arsenal have been chasing Ramsdale for weeks and have reportedly agreed an initial £24m fee with the Blades, rising to £30m with add-ons.
The former England youth international was left out of United’s squad for their 4-0 Championship defeat to West Brom on Wednesday evening.
SunSport considers whether Ramsdale is an improvement on Leno – Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper for the last three seasons.
FER REAL
Rio Ferdinand would have left Arsene Wenger with a big selection headache, had he signed for Arsenal in 2014.
The transfer was on the cards after the defender left Manchester United and approached the Gunners about a potential move to North London.
Alas, Wenger rejected the opportunity and Ferdinand has admitted that he would have struggled to help the club’s pursuit of silverware.
He told his YouTube channel: “The maddest thing is I thought about [joining] Arsenal.
“I said, ‘Arsene, listen, I am leaving Man United and if you want, I will come and try and help the dressing room etc. because I think you need help in that department’.
“‘I will obviously play but, more importantly, I will come for the culture’.
“He didn’t take me up on the offer and he was right because my performances at QPR weren’t up to the levels.
“But in the changing room, I believe I could have helped him, because that is where a lot of the culture derives from.”
RAMSDALE HELL
Aaron Ramsdale has been forced to limit who can comment on his Instagram posts after receiving a torrent of vile abuse from Arsenal ‘fans’.
The England stopper, 23, is now just hours away from signing for the Gunners in a £30million move from Sheffield United.
Ramsdale is expected to sign his contract at the Emirates on Thursday after the two clubs agreed on a fee on Wednesday evening.
The move has been widely panned by pundits in recent weeks.
But a small section of sick Arsenal supporters have gone too far, trolling and even appearing to threaten Ramsdale on Instagram.
In a stomach-churning thread, one fan wrote: “Burn in motherf***ing hell you piece of s***, stay far away from Arsenal.”
Another sick troll said: “F*** off man. We don’t want you at Arsenal. Trust me you’ll be getting abuse every day.”
LEW IS WORTH IT?
TWO of Europe’s finest strikers – Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski – reportedly want to leave their respective clubs this summer.
Both are rated at more than £100MILLION and guaranteed to score a shed load of goals for their team – but who is better value for money?
UG-ED OFF
French giants Marseille are interested in signing Chelsea youngster Ike Ugbo on a permanent deal, according to reports.
It’s believed Belgian side Genk have an agreement in place to sign the 22-year-old striker but the deal is yet to be finalised.
According to transfer wizard Fabrizio Romano, Marseille are trying to hijack Ugbo’s permanent move to Genk.
Genk had reportedly agreed a £4million transfer fee with Chelsea for the former England youth international but the deal isn’t complete.
That’s allowed Marseille to allegedly swoop in at the last minute, with a potential bidding war on the horizon.
It’s thought Ugbo will leave Stamford Bridge for good this summer and numerous clubs have been linked with him in recent weeks.
Ugbo (left) is a reported target for Marseille WHO ARE YA?
Tottenham take on Pacos de Ferreira in their first-ever Europa Conference League game – but who are the Portuguese club?
Spurs slipped into the third tier of European football after finishing a lowly seventh in the Premier League last term.
On top of that, Nuno Espirito Santo may be forced to make do without Harry Kane, with the striker angling for a move to Manchester City.
Kane, 28, did NOT board the plane to Portugal for Thursday night’s game, with Tottenham forced to do without him – just like for the 1-0 league win over City at the weekend.
There are a lot of question marks surrounding Spurs this season.
But for now the biggest question is: Who are Pacos de Ferreira?
We take a look…
GUNNAR CHANGE?
Brendan Rodgers is favourite to replace Mikel Arteta at Arsenal again.
Rodgers was momentarily replaced by Eddie Howe as the leading contender with the bookmakers this week.
But the Leicester boss is back to into top spot at Evens with Betfair.
Howe has moved out to 3/1 while Antonio Conte, who left Inter Milan after winning Serie A, is 6/1.
Other contenders include Ralph Hasenhuttl, Roberto Martinez and Gian Piero Gasperini.
Arsenal next manager
Betfair odds
- Brendan Rodgers Evens
- Eddie Howe 3/1
- Antonio Conte 6/1
- Ralph Hasenhuttl 11/1
- Roberto Martinez 14/1
- Gian Piero Gasperini 14/1
- Paulo Fonesca 14/1
- Freddie Ljungberg 16/1
NO GO LAUTARO
Lautaro Martinez is rumoured to be on the verge of dashing Arsenal’s and Tottenham’s hopes of signing him, according to reports.
The Argentina forward is thought to be close to agreeing new terms with Inter Milan that will see him stay at the Serie A club for the next five years.
And Sky Sports Italia say the striker has undergone ‘positive’ talks with Nerazzurri officials which are believed to have been in the offing for weeks.
The claims come amid speculation that Tottenham had agreed to a £60million deal with the Italian giants to bring the player to North London.
GUNNER SWAP
A potential swap deal involving Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin and Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier is reportedly ‘a genuine prospect’ this summer window.
The 26-year-old Gunners ace is growing increasingly frustrated with life under Mikel Arteta and has been linked with a move away for several months.
He was an unused substitute for the club’s defeat at newly-promoted Brentford on Friday.
Bellerin wants to return to Spain and both Atletico and Barcelona are keen.
Arteta is believed to be keen on getting a player in exchange for the full-back, with both Trippier and Barca’s Emerson mentioned as potential options.
Now Football London claims the Bellerin and Trippier swap is ‘a genuine prospect’.
And Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette could also reportedly be used in a possible exchange package.
LEW MOVE
Manchester City are the 3/1 favourites to land Robert Lewandowski after it emerged today he wants to leave Bayern Munich.
The Poland striker, 32, is said to want a new challenge and is keen on a move away from Munich.
And Betfair have priced City as 3/1 to snap him up as they look to bring in a striker to replace Sergio Aguero.
Robert Lewandowski next club – Betfair odds
- Manchester City – 3/1
- Real Madrid – 12/1
- PSG – 16/1
- Manchester United – 16/1
- Liverpool 25/1
- Juventus 25/1
- Barcelona 33/1
- Tottenham 33/1
- Chelsea – 33/1
HOUSSE HUNTING
Tottenham have joined Arsenal in the chase for Lyon star Houssem Aouar, reports claim.
The Mirror says Spurs are set to make a late transfer move for the midfielder who has been heavily linked with an Emirates switch.
The club’s bid has been given a boost by news that Arsenal are close to finalising a £30million agreement with Real Madrid for Martin Odegaard.
That would see the Norway playmaker Martin Odegaard return to the Gunners following his loan spell in the side last term.
Aouar, 23, is thought to be a target for a number of teams in the Prem and Europe, with Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace among them.
SUB-STANDARD WORK
AFC Wimbledon have hired an innovative new ‘substitution’ coach to analyse the impact subs are having in games.
Sammy Lander has been appointed by the League One club, who are gaining a reputation for their unique coaching methods.
According to the Training Ground Guru, Lander was given the job after pitching the idea to Wimbledon.
He’d researched the effectiveness of subs in the EFL, analysing the way they’d been utilised and judging their success using a points-based system.
The London club was intrigued by the idea and he’s been on the bench for their League One fixtures against Charlton, Doncaster and Bolton.
The coach is also doing some part-time work at the training ground during the week as Wimbledon look to make marginal gains in the third tier.
LEW BLOW
Robert Lewandowski reportedly wants to quit Bayern Munich with the club wanting at least £100m for him.
The Polish striker allegedly wants a new challenge after seven years with the German giants.
Sky Sports News claims they have been told Lewandowski, who turns 33 on Saturday, is happy at Bayern.
But he wants to secure a move to another top European club before the age of 35.
Bayern are playing hardball with their hitman, however, and will only do business for at least £100m.
Lewandowski still has two years remaining on his contract and his club’s valuation is likely to price him out of a departure this summer.
Bayern still have not offered any extension to his current deal.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
