Barcelona & Bayern Munich offered chance to sign Romelu Lukaku

 

Barcelona and Bayern Munich are being kept informed over the future of Romelu Lukaku with Chelsea ready to sell the striker.

Lukaku only returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2021 on a £97.5m deal from Inter, but has endured a rough time back in west London.

The Belgium international ended the season with just eight Premier League goals in 26 games, falling behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order. He was also scrutinised for giving an interview with Italian media midway through the campaign in which he declared his intention to return to Inter one day.

Chelsea would not stand in Lukaku's way should a suitable offer from Inter arrive this summer, but it is now understood that other European heavyweights are keeping tabs on his situation too.

Spanish giants Barcelona and German champions Bayern are actively being informed of his future. Chelsea would rather sell but are open to a loan in which most of his wages are covered.

However, Lukaku's preference would be to return to Inter, where he helped end their 11-year wait for a Serie A title.

He scored 64 goals in 95 games for the Nerazzurri, forming a prolific partnership with Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez. Should he complete a return to San Siro, Inter hope to pair him with Paulo Dybala following the expiration of his Juventus contract.

Lukaku was asked about his future recently while on international duty with Belgium, but bluntly told reporters that he could not comment on the situation.

Transfer rumours Man Utd to be offered Asensio Pogba close to Juventus return

 

Manchester United will be offered the chance to sign Real Madrid and Spain playmaker Marco Asensio this summer.

Paul Pogba, who United have already confirmed is leaving Old Trafford, is closing on a return to former club Juventus. The Serie A giants have offered the 29-year-old a three-year contract worth €8m (£6.8m) per year plus bonuses.

Manchester City's summer exodus could include Gabriel Jesus, who is wanted by Arsenal and Juventus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Raheem Sterling - who has been attracting interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Nathan Ake will also be allowed to leave the Etihad Stadium if Newcastle or West Ham, two interested parties, present an acceptable offer.

Liverpool will step up talks with Bayern Munich over winger Serge Gnabry, who has turned down a new contract at the Allianz Arena. Sadio Mane is likely to head in the other direction although any deals will be concluded separately.

Barcelona manager Xavi has told Frenkie de Jong that he may be sold to Manchester United to help the club balance their delicate finances, while also informing the Dutchman of the board's displeasure at his performances during 2021/22.

Roma, managed by Jose Mourinho, could move for Jesse Lingard this summer at the conclusion of his Manchester United contract. The Red Devils have announced he is departing, with West Ham and Everton among the clubs interested.

Real Madrid have had their opening offer for USMNT and Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina turned down. The 18-year-old's agent has revealed his client is keen to head to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Tottenham are in talks with Barcelona over a loan deal for French central defender Clement Lenglet, who is not in Xavi's plans for next season.

Lyon are confident that Alexandre Lacazette will return to the club on a free transfer after spending five years at Arsenal.

Chelsea face competition from Tottenham for highly-rated RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, although any bid will need to be substantial as he's contracted to the Bundesliga side until 2026.

Spurs are also tracking Torino defender Gleison Bremer in case they're unable to thrash out a deal with Inter for Alessandro Bastoni.

Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic admits he hopes to receive more playing time at Stamford Bridge following Todd Boehly's takeover.

Newcastle could reignite their interest in Atletico Madrid's Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco after a January move fell through.

Everton are confident of signing out-of-contract Burnley defender James Tarkowski ahead of Aston Villa, Leicester and Newcastle.

Messi and Di Maria inspire Albiceleste to dominant Finalissima win.

 

Argentina are now 32 matches unbeaten, a new record for them and just five behind the longest in international football history.

Argentina's impressive 3-0 Finalissima win over Italy saw La Albiceleste set a national new record of 32 matches unbeaten.

Lionel Scaloni's men were sensational at Wembley, producing a dominant and rampant performance that could have seen them claim an even more one-sided victory.

Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala got the goals, while Lionel Messi pulled the strings as Argentina made something of a statement less than six months before the World Cup.

Argentina's last defeat was a 2-0 loss to bitter rivals Brazil in the semi-finals of the 2019 Copa America, but they got their revenge in the final last year, beating the Selecao 1-0 at the Maracana to clinch their first title in 28 years.

Their 32 games unbeaten is a new record for official games, though Argentina did go 33 matches without defeat under Alfio Basile – that run included two fixtures not recognised by FIFA as they were against the Rest of America and the Rest of World in 1991.

Argentina's streak is the longest currently intact in international football and leaves them just five adrift of the all-time record set by Italy themselves last year.

Men's 2021/22 PFA Players' of the Year the nominees.

Cristiano Ronaldo is a surprise inclusion on the shortlist of nominees for the 2021/22 Men's PFA Player of the Year award.

The Portuguese superstar has been included despite Manchester United enduring their worst-ever Premier League campaign, while Son Heung-min has been overlooked having shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah.

Despite his team's overall struggles, Ronaldo still scored 18 league goals and provided a further three assists.

Salah is among the nominees, alongside his Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk. The Egyptian has already been named the PFA Premier League Fans' Player of the Year for 2021/22.

Meanwhile, midfield dynamo Kevin De Bruyne is the only representative from the title-winning Manchester City squad. The brilliant Belgian was outstanding last term, especially in the run-in, and will be looking to claim the prize for the third year in a row.

Tottenham talisman Harry Kane completes the list having been reinvigorated following Antonio Conte's appointment as manager back in November.

The Nominees :

🔸Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

🔸Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

🔸Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

🔸Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

🔸Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

🔸Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)