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      Real Madrid eye Robert Lewandowski transfer and Bayern Munich striker could be available for £52m with deal running down

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      REAL MADRID are interested in signing Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, according to reports.Lewandowski, 32, has always been keen on moving to the Bernabeu and told the German champions he wanted to leave in 2018.
      Robert Lewandowski has frequently been linked to Real Madrid in recent years
      He now has two years left on his contract and because of that he could be available on a cheaper deal around £52million, according to Sky Sports Germany.
      However, signing Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland is believed to be top priority for Real Madrid.
      But Bayern Munich could allow Lewandowski to leave, the report states, as they need to bring in money due to the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic.
      Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, is said to be listening to offers from various clubs in Europe, so Los Blancos may have to act quickly to land the forward.
      But since Lewandowski has always been keen to play for Madri – which was one of the reasons why he hired Zahavi – he could prioritise them ahead of other interested clubs.
      The Pole has won 20 trophies during his time in Germany and has scored 272 Bundesliga goals.
      Karim Benzema has been in form for Real Madrid but Lewandowski should be confident of taking his place in the team.
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      The Spanish side came close to signing the striker in 2018, and reportedly even agreed a fee with Bayern Munich.
      They also had a chance to sign him for just £17million from Borussia Dortmund, not long after Lewandowski scored four goals against them in the first leg of a Champions League semi-final tie in 2013.
      If Dortmund remain stubborn with Haaland and PSG do the same with Mbappe, Madrid could turn their focus on finally signing Lewandowski.
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      Real Madrid CAN afford £154m Erling Haaland transfer this summer, according to Mino Raiola despite chief Perez’s claims

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      A DEAL between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund for £154m-rated Erling Haaland CAN be done this summer, according to Mino Raiola.The striker’s agent has dismissed Florentino Perez’s concerns over the finances of the deal – claiming the club cannot afford NOT to sign him.
      Erling Haaland is a top target for several clubs this summerCredit: Getty
      Mino Raiola has opened the door to a move to either Real Madrid or BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The collapse of the European Super League led to the Real chief voicing his concern over Los Blancos’ ability to sign big-name players such as Haaland.
      But Madrid have not bought any players in over a year and Raiola opened the door to a move to the Spanish capital or Barcelona.
      The 53-year-old told AS: “I don’t know [if Real can afford Haaland], because I haven’t studied their finances.
      “But I believe so, yes. I think everyone can afford him.
      “But the question is this: can Madrid afford not to buy Haaland? And the same for Barcelona?
      “It’s difficult but not impossible [for Barcelona].
      “That is the job of a club president. It is the same for the clubs as it is for the players.
      “A train passes by and what do you do? You take it or you don’t take it. And that’s the big question.”
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      When a club like Barcelona or Madrid arrives, with so much history, it is difficult to say no. Mino Raiola
      Raiola has accepted that Borussia do not want to sell 20-year-old Haaland, who has hit 37 goals this season.
      But a reported £154million deal could be done if the right opportunity ‘presents itself’ with Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Manchester City named as potential destinations.
      The agent said: “[Not selling] is the official position of Dortmund.
      “But I have another position, I think that if a good opportunity presents itself and everyone is happy, we will put it on the table.”
      He added: “Haaland is interested in two things: scoring goals, because he is like a Cristiano [Ronaldo] or a Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], he has that positive obsession; and winning titles.
      “And he will choose, surely, where those two things will likely happen most often.

      “It is very difficult to lie. When a club like Barcelona or Madrid arrives, with so much history, it is difficult to say no.
      “PSG are entering this group of greats, City are trying to get there, Juve have always been there.
      “The championship they play in also matters. PSG play in the worst league of the greats. Bayern are already in an attractive league, but we know that they always win it. In Spain there are three [clubs] with a chance.”
      Perez’s concerns that the doomed European Super League breakaway will damage Madrid’s market prospects also left Raiola baffled.
      Far from viewing the project as a terrible idea, he instead believed it would be a ‘wonderful experiment’ if it co-existed with the Champions League.
      Raiola explained: “Ferrari can race one car in Formula One and another in LeMans.
      “Why can’t Madrid play in the Champions League and also in the Super League? It would be the most wonderful experiment in football.
      “Have two tournaments, the Champions League and Super League. And let the general public decide which one they like best.

      “I watched the protests in the street with disbelief. They were protests against something that had not yet been explained.
      “They protested against the feeling of a closed competition. But the Super League would not be forced upon them?
      “If you hate it, don’t buy the rights or pay to see it. If you want to see it… go ahead. But the key is the word ‘also’.”
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      Man Utd plot shock triple transfer swoop for Haaland, Sancho and Grealish after extending Bailly deal More

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      Lionel Messi ‘to accept new Barcelona deal on LOWER wages’ so club can afford Erling Haaland transfer

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      LIONEL MESSI will accept reduced terms on his new contract to help Barcelona sign Erling Haaland, according to reports.Negotiations on the Argentine’s £2.4million-a-week deal are set to begin soon after a financial review by new club president Joan Laporta.
      Lionel Messi is set to become a free agent in two months’ timeCredit: Getty
      Erling Haaland is a top transfer target for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      Earlier this month, the player’s dad and agent Jorge Messi landed in Spain in preparation for the talks.
      And it has been mooted that Barcelona’s ambition in the transfer market will be a big factor in securing his commitment.
      According to Eurosport, Messi will even accept a hefty wage cut if the savings are funnelled into improving the squad.
      Borussia Dortmund star Haaland is known to be a top target of the LaLiga giants.
      The Norwegian’s dad, Alf-Inge, and agent, Mino Raiola, recently flew into the city for transfer talks.
      But the Bundesliga club will demand a fee north of £150m – which may be lowered if they fail to reach next season’s Champions League.
      Barcelona were struggling under a ballooning wage bill before the pandemic, which has exacerbated their financial problems.
      Rival interest in Messi is expected to come from Paris Saint-Germain with only two months to go until he is a free agent.
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      Ronald Koeman is hoping to bolster his squad with cheap deals for Eric Garcia, Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum rumoured for when their contracts expire at the end of the season.
      Also key to persuading Messi may be Barcelona’s LaLiga title challenge following a faltering start.
      The Catalans had the chance to reach the top of the table on Thursday but lost 2-1 at home to Granada, with leaders Atletico Madrid coming to the Camp Nou in a week’s time.
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      Man City keen on Lionel Messi AND Erling Haaland as Pep Guardiola eyes superstar transfer in summer More

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      Andre Silva ‘wants LaLiga transfer over Man Utd move’ with Real Madrid to offer Jovic plus cash to Eintracht Frankfurt

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      REAL MADRID could be about to move ahead of Manchester United in the race for Andre Silva.Reports in Germany indicate the LaLiga giants are willing to allow Luka Jovic to sign for Eintracht Frankfurt permanently in a player-plus-cash deal.
      Andre Silva is reportedly attracting the interest of Real MadridCredit: AFP
      Luka Jovic could make his Eintracht Frankfurt loan permanent as part of the dealCredit: EPA
      Silva, 25, has smashed 26 goals for the Bundesliga club this season after signing from AC Milan.
      Long tipped to become one of Europe’s top forwards, he has earned the attention of several prospective buyers.
      United are said to be among them along with Borussia Dortmund, who could become particularly keen if Erling Haaland leaves.
      SunSport revealed in February that the Red Devils are pondering a £30m offer if Edinson Cavani leaves for free.
      But Madrid have entered the race with a unique offer, according to Bild, and are the preferred destination for Silva.
      Serbian striker Jovic, 23, made his name with Eintracht before a £52m move to Real in 2019.

      After a poor season which saw him net just two goals, the player was loaned back to Frankfurt and could remain with the club as part of this deal.
      It is said Madrid are willing to pay around £17m plus Jovic to land Silva’s signature.
      The transfer may require the Serb to take a large pay cut from his rumoured £170,000-a-week wage.
      And Eintracht may yet seek a bigger fee for Silva if the side, currently fourth in the table, qualify for the Champions League.
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      It has been mooted that the Portugal international is available through a release clause for just £26m, something the player’s camp has denied.
      Agent Hendrik Schauerte told Bild last week: “Of course, at the current time of the season, the speculation will not decrease, we are not guided by that.
      “Andre is totally focused and wants to secure the Champions League places with Eintracht.”
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      Gundogan reveals raging Jurgen Klopp shouted ‘do whatever the f*** you want’ at him in Dortmund training ground row

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      ILKAY GUNDOGAN revealed a raging Jurgen Klopp once shouted ‘do whatever the f*** you want’ at him in an explosive Borussia Dortmund training ground row.The Manchester City midfielder, 30, worked under the now-Liverpool boss at Signal Iduna Park between 2011 and 2015.
      Ilkay Gundogan got on the wrong side of Jurgen Klopp after failing to report an injury before trainingCredit: EPA
      The pair worked together for four years at Borussia Dortmund before Klopp’s 2015 departureCredit: Reuters
      And while they enjoyed plenty of success on the pitch – winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and reaching the Champions League final – they also had a few fiery moments behind the scenes.
      Dortmund players had a rule they had to inform the club doctor if they had any niggles or slight pains to avoid injuries – but when he woke up with a tight hamstring he decided against reporting it because he thought it would be fine.
      Writing for The Players’ Tribune, Gundogan said: “I once managed to make Jurgen Klopp angry. Like, really angry. It was in my second season at Dortmund. We were trailing in the Bundesliga, but we had a shot at the Champions League.
      “An hour before training, just to be sure, I asked the doctor to take a look at my hamstring.
      “Jurgen came in and he was not happy. I was trying to find a way out of it, even though I knew I was wrong. Jurgen kept saying that we couldn’t take any risks. I kept saying that I could train.
      “And then he snapped. You know when he gets these intense eyes and grits his teeth?
      “He gave me that look and shouted, ‘DO WHATEVER THE F*** YOU WANT TO DO!’ Then he slammed the door behind him.
      “About half an hour later, I put my boots on and walked on to the pitch. Jurgen came up next to me. I was expecting a lecture, but he put his arm around me.
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      “He said, ‘My friend, do you know why I was so angry? I just care about you. And I don’t want you to get injured.’ Then he gave me a big hug.
      “I was shocked. We had had this fight, and now he was talking to me the way a father might talk to his son.
      “That showed me what kind of person he is: very emotional, of course, but also very open and honest.
      “Jurgen taught me a lesson that day: Always try to be honest. Both with others and yourself.”
      Born and raised in Germany to Turkish parents, Gundogan considers himself to have dual nationality.
      But that has led to difficulties with Germans ‘surprised how good my German is’ and Turks ‘question how Turkish I really am’.
      And the racism continued when he signed for Dortmund and started looking to buy a house.
      The 45-cap German international said: “When I arrived at Dortmund, I thought I was prepared for anything. I was wrong. I’ll never forget what happened.
      Klopp gave Gundogan a big hug half an hour after their expletive bust-upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfielder spent five years with Borussia Dortmund and scored in the Champions League finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “I was looking for an apartment in the city, and I overheard these people talking about me.
      “They would say, ‘Have you seen his name? Gündoğan. That’s Turkish. Do you really think he can afford it?’
      “I mean … what the f***. Where do you even start with that?
      “Of course, once I told them that I was a footballer, their tone changed completely, ‘Oh sir, please come in, have a look. Anything we can do to help, let us know.’
      “And these people were immigrants themselves! It was just so sad.”
      Gundogan spent five seasons at Dortmund but was ready to move on in 2016 and linked up with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, enjoying a stunning 2020-21 campaign.
      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
      They are actually neighbours in their city apartments and Gundogan’s friend took a bottle of champagne and a card round for the manager’s birthday.
      The midfielder continued: “About half an hour later, there was a knock on the door. I was like, ‘Who the f*** is this?’ I thought my friend had ordered pizza or something. 
      “My friend opened the door, and it was Pep! He said, ‘Where’s Gundo?’
      “We were both really surprised because Pep is such a private guy. We had seen him around in the elevator and stuff, but he had never been in my apartment.
      “He had brought the champagne bottle and three glasses. He ended up staying for an hour just to chill.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Gundogan has suffered racism from both Germany and Turkey which has been difficult to overcomeCredit: Reuters
      Gundogan and Pep Guardiola shared a bottle of champagne for the boss’ birthdayCredit: PA:Empics Sport
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      Big-hearted Borussia Dortmund keeper Marwin Hitz donates stem cells to stranger battling leukaemia

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      BIG-HEARTED Borussia Dortmund star Marwin Hitz has taken time off between matches to donate stem cells to a stranger battling leukaemia.DKMS Germany uploaded a photograph to Instagram at the weekend showing Dortmund’s Swiss goalkeeper in a hospital bed preparing to donate.
      Borussia Dortmund star Marwin Hitz has donated stem cells to a stranger battling leukaemiaCredit: Instagram @dkms_de
      Hitz, 33, has been at Dortmund since 2018, playing 26 times in all competitions this term.
      But he made his biggest contribution this season donating stem cells in the fight against leukaemia.
      He declared: “I have a family of my own, I have children.
      “If I imagined that one of them would develop blood cancer, I would be incredibly grateful for any suitable donor.
      “Against this background, it was a matter to help when I was told that I might be the suitable donor for a person suffering from blood cancer.
      “The entire procedure is painless and, to be honest, not worth mentioning.”
      Hitz registered as a donor while playing for old club Wolfsburg.
      Hitz was handed a new two-year deal by Dortmund last monthCredit: AFP

      And after being told he was a match for a stranger battling leukaemia, Hitz jumped at the chance to help out.
      Hitz penned a new two-year contract last month after ousting Roman Burki as the club’s No1.
      And reports claim Hitz could be set to continue as Dortmund’s first-choice keeper under new boss Marco Rose next season.
      The current Gladbach gaffer is said to be impressed with Hitz, as well as Dortmund’s other goalie Burki, and doesn’t see the need to splash out on a new stopper.
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      Tottenham target Nagelsmann ‘agrees to join Bayern after asking for contract termination’ but RB Leipzig demand £26m

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      JULIAN NAGELSMANN has asked to terminate his RB Leipzig deal a year early and agreed to join Bayern, according to reports.The 33-year-old coach is wanted by both Bayern Munich and Tottenham to be their next manager.
      Julian Nagelsmann has reportedly agreed to be Bayern manager after asking for his Red Bull contract to be terminatedCredit: Reuters
      And Kicker in Germany report that he’s asked to end his Leipzig contract until 2023 a year early to join Bayern.
      Bild, meanwhile, report that Leipzig will demand £26million in compensation from Bayern Munich.
      Tottenham are looking for a new boss to replace Jose Mourinho, while Bayern are searching for Hansi Flick’s successor.
      But Spurs believe they can lure Nagelsmann, who wants to manage in England.
      Chairman Daniel Levy had been weighing up sacking Mourinho, 58, for weeks.
      German coach Nagelsmann has been in charge at Leipzig since 2019.
      He had a three-year spell as Hoffenheim boss before that and was voted German manager of the season in 2017.
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      Leipzig are second in the Bundesliga, seven points off leaders and soon to be champions Bayern Munich.
      They also have a German Cup semi-final against Werder Bremen on the horizon on Friday.
      Leipzig also announced on Monday that sporting director Markus Krosche will leave the club by mutual consent.
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      Mainz 2 Bayern Munich 1: Flick’s side blow chance to win title despite late Lewandowski goal

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      BAYERN MUNICH were thwarted by Mainz as they missed out on winning the Bundesliga title with three games to spare this afternoon.Hansi Flick’s men found themselves two goals down at the interval, having delivered a lacklustre performance.
      Mainz shocked Bayern Munich this afternoonCredit: Reuters
      Bayern missed the chance to clinch the titleCredit: AP
      And even the returning Robert Lewandowski couldn’t inspire them to a comeback, although the Pole did get on the scoresheet late on.
      Jonathan Burkardt gave Mainz the perfect start after just three minutes, when he turned on a sixpence before firing past Manuel Neuer.
      Danny Latzka then nearly made it two, but saw his header denied by Germany’s No1.
      Lewandowski, in his first game in four weeks, skied a presentable chance to equalise, before Mainz extended their lead after 37 minutes.
      Robin Quaison nodded Philippe Mwene’s free-kick beyond the helpless Neuer to put Bo Svensson’s side in a commanding position going into the interval.
      Flick, who is set to depart at the end of the season, made three changes at the break – introducing Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Jamal Musiala and Tanguy Nianzou.
      But Bayern still struggled to break down Mainz’s stubborn defence – despite finishing the game having had 73 per cent of the ball.
      Lewandowski did manage to grab his customary goal with virtually the final act of the match.

      Robin Quaison rose to make it 2-0Credit: AFP
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      Bayern could still clinch the title this weekend – if second-placed RB Leipzig fail to beat Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon.
      The reigning champions are ten points clear of Julian Nagelsmann’s side, who still have four games remaining.
      Bayern also possess far superior goal difference to RB Leipzig, at plus-46 compared to plus-28.
      With Flick having announced his intention to leave at the end of the season, RB Leipzig’s coach Nagelsmann may well end up at Allianz Arena next term.
      Although the 33-year-old is also a main contender for the vacant Spurs job this summer.
      Robert Lewandowski marked his return with a goalCredit: Getty
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