The summer transfer window is approaching, and there’s plenty of gossip swirling about who’s moving where. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings and goings and, of course, done deals!
TOP STORY: Lewandowski eyes Camp Nou switch
Barcelona are keen on signing Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and have even started initial talks, as has been reported by Sky Sports Deutschland.
Lewandowski, 33, has been a key man for Bayern since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2014 and has hit the back of the net with scary regularity. This season, he has managed an outstanding 46 goals and four assists from 40 matches across all competitions.
However, Bayern are in a slightly precarious position as the Poland international’s contract ends in 2023, with the veteran open to change as it would fulfil a dream to play in LaLiga and boost his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.
The reports adds that Lewandowski hasn’t made his decision yet, or asked Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn to let him leave in the summer. Bayern don’t want to see their main striker leave and a fee would need to be negotiated if he is allowed to depart.
Barcelona feel that Lewandowski can guarantee them at least 30 goals-per-season, so are looking to offer him a contract of two or three years worth between €30m-€35m — a yearly raise of over €10m.
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LIVE BLOG
09.50 BST: Barcelona don’t have much money, as well we know, but they do have a plan to sign one big attacking player this summer.
With interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski and Benfica’s Darwin Nunez, the club are also reported to be keen on Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
Felix, 22, joined Atletico for €126m from Benfica in 2017 but the Portugal international hasn’t lived up to expectations and could move on for around €80m.
Sport claims that Barcelona are showing signs they might make a bid, but Atletico won’t want to let him join a rival.
09.09 BST: Sergio Ramos wants to play for another “four or five seasons at the highest level” before taking on another adventure in football.
Ramos, 36, joined Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent in the summer after 16 seasons with Real Madrid.
Injuries have limited the veteran Spanish defender to just seven appearances across all competitions for PSG leading to speculation that his time in Paris could be cut short.
He made his PSG debut on November 28 after recovering from a calf injury that had kept him out of action for five months.
“I would like to play four or five years more at the highest level before moving on to another experience,” he told Amazon Prime. “I’ve signed for two years here at Paris Saint-Germain and we are going to try and make that three years, one more, and then we’ll see. “As long as I can hold out physically, I believe I can remain focused.”
08.44 BST: Belgium international Leandro Trossard is one of the players Newcastle United would consider moving for this summer if winger Allan Saint-Maximin leaves the club, the Daily Mail reports.
Saint-Maximin, 25, is the club’s outstanding star player and, despite substantial transfer spending in January following the takeover by the Saudi-backed PFI earlier this season, the former France youth international could leave St James’ Park this summer.
If Saint-Maximin does move this summer then Brighton & Hove Albion’s Trossard, Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby and Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson would all be potential targets to replace him.
08.00 BST: Casemiro has called on Real Madrid fans to stop whistling Gareth Bale, and said “when you whistle a player like that, you’re whistling the history of this club.”
Bale was jeered on Saturday when he came on as a 74th minute substitute during Madrid’s 2-0 LaLiga win over Getafe, in his first appearance at the Bernabeu…
Read More: LIVE Transfer Talk – Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski seeks Barcelona move to boost