Football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has delivered the latest updates on several important situations, with big news from Manchester United, Barcelona, Chelsea and others.
Robert Lewandowski nears next step: Striker unhappy with Barcelona offer
Robert Lewandowski is out of contract at the end of the season and is close to making a decisive call over his future, with Barcelona still hopeful of retaining the veteran striker.
“His agent, Pini Zahavi, is planning some travel very soon in order to assess all the best options and bring them to Lewandowski,” Romano told his YouTube channel.
“What Barcelona have done is present a new contract proposal to the Polish striker, to extend his deal for one more season but with a very reduced salary.
“At the moment, my understanding is that Lewandowski is not so happy with the first proposal from Barcelona. Let’s see if Barca and Lewandowski can negotiate, discuss, and maybe reach an agreement. But we need to understand if both sides can align on this new contract.
“Barcelona are still talking with his agent, so it is still on. Let’s wait and see. Then he has possibilities in MLS, very strong and very concrete possibilities there. Also Saudi Arabia want him again, they wanted him one and two years ago already, and there are Italian clubs too, with Juventus and Milan trying to understand the situation.
“It will be a player decision. Barcelona are still an option, but it depends on the details of the new contract.”
Rashford latest: Barcelona move continues to stall
Barcelona’s deal to sign Marcus Rashford is also stalling, with time running out on the winger’s loan from Manchester United.
“There is still no green light between Barcelona and Manchester United on the Marcus Rashford situation,” Romano confirmed.
“What is the situation? Barcelona are in agreement with Marcus Rashford and his camp over contract terms. So the player would be happy to stay, Barcelona would be happy to continue with Rashford, and Hansi Flick is happy with his performances.
“But then there is the club-to-club side. And club-to-club means they have to trigger the €30 million buy option. Manchester United keep telling Barcelona: pay the €30m, or Rashford comes back and then they decide what happens next. Maybe sell him to another club, maybe keep him, depending on who the manager is. There are several factors.
“Barcelona want to restructure the agreement. They hope to find a creative way, maybe another loan with different conditions, maybe an obligation to buy. United are not opening the door to that right now. They want the €30m. So at the moment, no agreement. Rashford has an agreement with Barca, but not yet club to club.”
Messi enters club ownership: Barca legend buys UE Cornella
Lionel Messi has become the latest superstar to buy a football club, cementing his links with the city of Barcelona while doing so.
“We see many players investing in football, buying clubs, like Vinicius, Courtois, Cristiano Ronaldo and others. Now Messi enters this business too,” Romano said.
“Lionel Messi has signed all the paperwork to buy 100 percent of the stakes in UE Cornella, a club in the fifth division in Spain, in the Tercera Division, based close to Barcelona in Catalonia.
“So Messi is making an investment financially, of course, but also preparing for the future after football. It is a smart move. It is also a sad day for football when players like Cristiano and Messi are already preparing for that next chapter, but it is understandable.
“And it is important to note that this is another sign of the link between Messi and Barcelona, Messi and Catalonia. He wants to live in Barcelona again in the future, for his kids, his family, and for himself. So buying this club goes in that direction. Good luck to Leo Messi with this new chapter off the pitch too.”
Caicedo signs new Chelsea deal
Chelsea have received a positive update on Moises Caicedo, with the Ecuador international having agreed a new deal.
Romano confirmed: “There is an agreement done between Chelsea and Moises Caicedo and his new agency for a new contract soon. Everything is agreed.
“The new deal will be valid for two more years compared to what he already had, so now his contract will run until June 2033. That is a very long deal. Seven more years at the club for Caicedo.
“It is a strong message because he will receive a pay rise and an improved salary. Chelsea are showing that one of their crucial players, one of their top players, and one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, is fully committed to the project.
“At a moment when Chelsea have had some difficult public situations with Enzo Fernandes and Cucurella, and since their Champions League exit, this is Chelsea reacting and sending a strong message. Caicedo is ready to put pen to paper and stay.
“He also received approaches from really important clubs, but he wanted to stay at Chelsea. He is totally committed. And he will also be a crucial part of the project, with Chelsea’s intention to add experienced players too. So this is another important message.”
Anthony Gordon open to leaving Newcastle
England international winger Anthony Gordon looks likely to be on the move this summer, with the 25-year-old willing to explore the possibility of a switch as the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich circle.
“My understanding is that Gordon would be open to that possibility, but he has never closed the door to an exit. Already when Liverpool wanted him in the past, he was open to the move,” Romano confirmed.
“Now there are links with Bayern. Bayern is a possibility. He is not the only name on the list, but Anthony Gordon could be an interesting one to follow this summer.
“The player is not closing doors. He has always been super committed, super serious, super professional, doing fantastically for Newcastle, but he is open. And this summer could be the same.”
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