BARCELONA have released their first pictures of Robert Lewandowski.
The Poland star was seen in a shirt saying 'Culers' – the nickname of the club – as he underwent his medical.
Barcelona-bound Lewandowski, 33, said goodbye to the Bayern squad on Saturday before heading to Catalonia.
But the funds Bayern received for Lewandowski are already being put to good use as they have announced the signing of Chelsea signing Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus.
Meanwhile, Man Utd have joined Arsenal in the race for Youri Tielemans.
And Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly offered Neymar to Manchester City.
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- Ian Tuckey
Red Devils favourites if Dembele leaves Lyon
Manchester United have been priced as the leaders of the race to sign Lyon forward Moussa Dembele.
Sky Bet place United at 5/1 favourites to sign the former Fulham striker, ahead of Southampton, Arsenal and West Ham.
The Red Devils face a shortage of strikers currently, with only Cristano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial as recognised 'number nines' at the club currently.
And both of their futures at the club are uncertain.
Sky Bet odds
Manchester United – 5/1
Southampton – 6/1
Arsenal – 8/1
West Ham – 12/1Martial was sent on loan to Sevilla for the latter half of last season after falling out of favour at Old Trafford, but has lead the line impressively in United's pre-season friendlies so far, scoring in all three games.
Ronaldo has not made the trip to Thailand and Australia, citing personal reasons, and has also made his intentions clear that he wants to play Champions League football next season, which Manchester United cannot offer.
The Portuguese came out saying he wishes to leave the club, but is finding a new one hard to come by.
New United manager Erik ten Hag has since said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is in his plans for next season and is not for sale.
- Ian Tuckey
Raheem's no Man City legend, says Zabaleta
Raheem Sterling's words after joining Chelsea confirm he's not a Manchester City legend, claims former Etihad defender Pablo Zabaleta.
Striker Sterling says he's 'come home' after returning to London and reportedly declined to sign a City shirt when he was doing autographing for fans on Chelsea's USA tour.
Zabaleta said: "For me when you say legend [I think of] (Sergio) Aguero, David Silva, [Vincent] Kompany. Those guys were on a different level, that's why they have statues outside of the club.
"Raheem, he's been great. We wish him of course all the best. He went to a team that is a big contender for the Premier League, but as I say, I wish him all the best. He's a great lad,"
"But Man City is always the most important thing for the fans and for the players and when you come to this club you have to give 100 per cent respect, and the moment that you leave you need to talk nicely about the club that you've been playing for, so I wish he could behave that way."
- Ian Tuckey
Bayern complete De Ligt deal
Bayern Munich have signed Juventus centre-back Matthijs on a five-year deal.
Chelsea and even Man Utd were linked with the Holland defender.
- Ian Tuckey
Hammers closing on Lingard
West Ham are reportedly winning the race to sign Jesse Lingard.
The in-demand England midfielder is a free agent after his contract with Manchester United expired last month.
Sky Sports report he has other offers on the table but favours a return to the London Stadium.
Reporter Dharmesh Sheth tweeted: "West Ham United in negotiation with Jesse Lingard's representatives.
"[There is a] growing feeling the player will choose to return to the club. He has other Premier League offers."
Lingard joined David Moyes' Irons in January 2021 as the sun started to set on his Old Trafford career.
He reminded everyone of his quality with nine goals in 16 appearances for a side which now regularly secures European football.
- Ian Tuckey
Kounde 'scouting London homes'
Chelsea might be cheered in their hunt for Jules Kounde by reports he's been scouting for a house in London.
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs claimed the France star has been preparing for a possible move to the Premier League – despite PSG butting into one of this summer's major transfer sagas.
It's also bene suggested that Chelsea are launching the first official bid for the 23-year-old.
- Ian Tuckey
Wolves cast eye on Benteke
Christian Benteke is a target for Wolves.
The Crystal Palace striker has one year left of his current deal and Wolves are in the market for a striker.
Molineux forward Fabio Silva has joined Belgian club Anderlecht on a season-long loan, having first signed a one-year extension to his contract.
Silva, whose new deal runs until 2026, joined Wolves in September 2020 in a deal from Porto worth £37million.
He has made only 17 Premier League starts, scoring four goals.
Now, Belgian international Benteke, 31, is one of the options the west midlands club are considering.
He signed a contract extension with Palace 12 months ago but Wolves are looking to boost their firepower.
A £27million signing from Liverpool six years ago, Benteke has scored 36 goals in 162 Premier League appearances for the south London club.
- Ian Tuckey
De Jong knuckles down to Barca training
Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong looks like he is enjoying pre-season with Barcelona – with his proposed move to Old Trafford still up in the air.
A broad agreement for a £72million deal is already in place, according to Sportsmail.
The Netherlands midfielder, 25, was put through his paces in a training session in Florida ahead of today's friendly against Phil Neville's Inter Miami.
The La Liga giants held an open training session in front of fans in Miami ahead of the clash with David Beckham's club.
New United boss Erik ten Hag was De Jong's boss at Ajax and is keen to put him at the centre of his rebuilding job at Old Trafford.
But negotiations are dragging on and the star is now undergoing his summer prep work with the Catalans rather than the Red Devils.
Sportsmail say one of the sticking points is that De Jong "is embroiled in a contract stand-off with cash-strapped Barcelona, who owe him more than £17m in deferred wages."
They reveal Barca chiefs are "desperate to get the Dutchman's wages off their books to abide with Financial Fair Play rules."
- Ian Tuckey
Gunners to continue spree after Zinchenko
Arsenal will reportedly continue to splash the cash once they announce the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.
The Gunners have agreed a deal rising to £32million for the versatile Ukrainian left-back.
Zinchenko is poised to put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal with the 25-year-old set to leave the Citizens' pre-season tour of the US to undergo a medical.
His arrival will take Arsenal’s summer spending to around £115m following the signings of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner.
And according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, the North London outfit are planning a "big" transfer as they look to bring in another winger.
Arsenal lost out to Barcelona in the race to prise Brazilian ace Raphinha away from Leeds.
Meanwhile Arsenal were dealt a blow when former star Serge Gnabry ended speculation over his future by extending his stay at Bayern Munich.
And Sheth has stated that the Gunners remain in the market for a new wideman.
- Ian Tuckey
Nu NO to Marseile
Arsenal outcast Nuno Tavares has rejected the chance to join Marseille on a season-long loan.
The Mirror report that the Portuguese youngster would prefer to remain at the Emirates and fight for his place in the first team.
However, the imminent arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko is likely to mean Tavares drops even further down the pecking order.
While the Ukrainian is being brought in as a midfielder, his ability to play at left-back will offer cover when Kieran Tierney is injured.
Sport Witness reported earlier this week that the Gunners are keen to move Tavares on before the close of the transfer window.
- Ian Tuckey
Ajax tipped to beat Red Devils to Brobbey
Manchester United are reportedly set to be beaten by Ajax in the race for RB Leipzig striker Brian Brobbey.
Fabrizio Romano claims the ace, 20, is on the verge of a return to his boyhood club after a tough time in Germany.
Personal terms have already been agreed, and Ajax are finalising details of the transfer fee with Leipzig chiefs.
United had been linked with a move for Brobbey, who scored seven goals in 11 games under Erik ten Hag while on loan at Ajax last season.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future remains unclear and it’s reckoned Brobbey was seen as the ideal young candidate to step in.
But the Red Devils will have to look elsewhere if they still want a new No9.
That’s because Brobbey is set to lead the line as Ajax’s main striker next term.
Brobbey started his career with the Dutch giants in 2010 before making his senior debut in 2020.
Leipzig then tempted the forward to Germany a year later after chances at Ajax became limited.
But Brobbey failed to adapt during six months in the Bundesliga, failing to score once in 14 games.
- Ian Tuckey
Clauss set to snub Prem giants for Marseille
Several Premier League clubs have been linked with Lens wing-back Jonathan Clauss this summer including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Indeed, United were reported to have submitted a €7m bid yesterday afternoon and were thought to be in advanced talks.
However, the news this morning is that the players has agreed a move to Marseille.
Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Jonathan Clauss will undergo medical tests as new OM player in the morning.
“Full agreement completed after the opening bid made 10 days ago, Lens have accepted €8m fee. Manchester United links, wide of mark.”
- Ian Tuckey
Aaron out – or no new right-back
Manchester United will only move for a new right-back if they are first able to sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Red Devils had this week been linked with Achraf Hakimi, Denzel Dumfries and Jonathan Clauss, and it appeared strengthening in the position was a priority for Erik ten Hag.
However, any approach will come only once the club can move on their £45m flop – for whom they have yet to receive any offers.
In his column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano said: “Manchester United will think of a right back only if Aaron Wan-Bissaka leaves.
“The club are taking the time in pre-season to assess him and other players, but my understanding is that Diogo Dalot is in the plans of Erik ten Hag.”
- Sam Dymond
Breaking: Mooy signs for Celtic
Former Huddersfield star Aaron Mooy has signed a short-term deal with Celtic.
The Australian international joins the Scottish Premiership champions as a free agent following his release from Shanghai Port.
The 31-year-old midfielder links up with his former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou at Celtic Park, and has the option of extending his stay if all goes well.
Meanwhile, the Glasgow club have also bagged centre-back Moritz Jenz on a season-long loan from Lorient.
- Sam Dymond
Toon Army biding their time
Many were expecting Newcastle United to splash the cash this summer, but the Geordies are – as of yet – keeping it low-key.
The Toon Army have already brought in Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Matt Targett, but for small change in comparison to the big spending that was anticipated.
However, deals are being discussed, and there may be more activity at St James' Park very soon.
Transfers expert Fabrizio Romano explained to Caught Offside: “Newcastle fans will no doubt be desperate to hear some transfer updates, but the club prefer to keep their top targets secret all the way.
“What I can say is that one of the popular names into the board is Moussa Diaby, but not on the terms of Bayer Leverkusen; for this reason, the negotiations have been stalled for weeks.
“Duvan Zapata has been on the club’s list since January but Atalanta have not yet received an official offer.
“There was previously interest in Hugo Ekitike and Armando Broja so I’d expect a new signing up front will be high on the Magpies’ agenda, but we’ll see.”
In other words, watch this space.
- Sam Dymond
James still on Real’s radar
Chelsea fans are still coming to terms with Antonio Rudiger’s recent move to Real Madrid – and they may be forced to go through it all again next year.
According to Goal journalist Jorge Picon, the LaLiga giants are keeping close tabs on England international Reece James.
The 22-year-old still has three years to run on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, but the London club are eager to tie him down for the long-term.
However, if there is little progress in negotiations during the next six months, then it is thought that Real will test their resolve with a speculative bid for the right-back in the 2023 window.
- Sam Dymond
Steffen signs on with Boro
Middlesbrough have completed the loan signing of Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen.
The 27-year-old American stopper will join Chris Wilder's team for the duration of the 2022-23 season.
Steffen made nine appearances for City last term, but wants regular first team football ahead of November's World Cup.
"I think it's a big coup for us and so I'm delighted we've brought Zack in," Wilder told the Championship club's official website.
- Sam Dymond
Ajax turn tables on United
Having poached their manager, Manchester United have spent the summer sniffing around numerous Ajax stars.
But now, in a curious twist, the Amsterdam club are targeting one of theirs.
According to podcaster Bart Sanders, the Eredivisie champions are interested in United’s young defender Ethan Laird.
The 20-year-old, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bournemouth, helping the Cherries back to the Premier League, is said to be open to the idea of a switch to the Dutch capital.
Laird has just a year remaining on his current deal with the Red Devils.
- Sam Dymond
Ed heads for Yellow Submarine
Villarreal are in talks to sign former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani on a free transfer.
The 35-year-old is without a club following the expiry of his contract at Old Trafford, and could be heading to LaLiga for the first time.
According to journalist Ekrem Konur, the Yellow Submarine have tabled a two-year deal for the Uruguayan international, and he is expected to join the club in the coming days.
- Sam Dymond
Azpilicueta exit ‘a matter of time’
Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is edging closer to the Stamford Bridge exit door and a dream move to Barcelona.
Italian journalist Matteo Moretto states that the defender’s departure for the Nou Camp is ‘now only a matter of time.’
The 32-year-old has won the lot during his decade with the Blues including two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League.
- Sam Dymond
Toff luck! Forest move on to Moreno
When reports of Nottingham Forest's interest in Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno emerged last night, it immediately cast doubt on their swoop for Huddersfield's Harry Toffolo.
And sure enough, John Percy at the Telegraph has just tweeted that their raid on the Terriers is in jeopardy.
The newly-promoted club had been expected to seal the double signing of Lewis O'Brien and Toffolo from the club they fortuitously defeated in the Championship play-off final.
Percy says: "Double deal was agreed on Sunday evening, as reported, but there is an issue with Toffolo (outside of both clubs).
"O'Brien has completed medical and done media interviews etc, but Forest now looking at other left-backs (Moreno)."
- Sam Dymond
Romano: Kimpembe is Chelsea’s focus
Chelsea have been chasing some of the best centre-backs in Europe this summer, but their ‘main focus’ right now is securing the services of Presnel Kimpembe.
That’s the understanding of Fabrizio Romano, who believes that the Paris Saint-Germain defender is now the Blues’ number one target.
Speaking on the Wondergoal Podcast, the transfers expert said: “The plan at Chelsea is to sign three centre-backs.
“It depends on the budget because they don’t want to spend crazy money but they want to do smart investments.”
“And, at the moment, the main focus is on Kimpembe.”
“They need a left-footed centre-back and Kimpembe could be one of the best options in the market.”
“However, it depends on PSG also, because they want around €65m for Kimpembe while Chelsea will be prepared to pay around €50m.”
- Sam Dymond
Fab news! Striker's Silva lining
Birthday boy Fabio Silva has penned a new one-year contract with Wolves – and then celebrated by joining Anderlecht on a season-loan.
The youngster, who turns 20 today, has struggled to adapt to the Premier League since his club record £35m move to the Old Gold in 2020.
However, the Black Country outfit still have high hopes for the Portuguese U21 star, and anticipate that a spell in Belgium will help to restore his confidence.
- Sam Dymond
Premier League clubs fancy Cornet
Maxwel Cornet's list of Premier League suitors continues to grow with Nottingham Forest having entered the race to sign the Ivorian.
The newly-promoted club join Everton, Fulham and Newcastle in courting the 25-year-old Burnley ace, who has a release clause of £17.5m.
Some of those linked would prefer to initially take the forward on loan, but Vincent Kompany's Clarets would prefer a permanent cash transfer.
Cornet scored nine goals in 28 appearances after arriving at Turf Moor from Lyon, but was unable to save Burnley from relegation.
- Sam Dymond
New United right-back unlikely
Manchester United will only move for a new right-back if they are first able to sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Red Devils had this week been linked with Achraf Hakimi, Denzel Dumfries and Jonathan Clauss, and it appeared strengthening in the position was a priority for Erik ten Hag.
However, any approach will come only once the club can move on their £45m flop – for whom they have yet to receive any offers.
In his column for CaughtOffside, Fabrizio Romano said: "Manchester United will think of a right back only if Aaron Wan-Bissaka leaves.
"The club are taking the time in pre-season to assess him and other players, but my understanding is that Diogo Dalot is in the plans of Erik ten Hag."
- Sam Dymond
Napoli looking at dodgy Kepa
Napoli are considering bringing Kepa Arrizabalaga’s Chelsea nightmare to an end, according to the Evening Standard.
The Naples club are said to be interested in rejuvenating the Spanish stopper’s career with either a permanent or loan move to Serie A.
However, the 27-year-old’s £190k-per-week wages could well be a stumbling block in any deal.
Kepa arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2018 for £71m, a world record fee for a goalkeeper.
But his time in London has been disappointing, and, after a number of high-profile errors, he lost his place as soon as Edouard Mendy signed for the Blues.
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