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Cristiano Ronaldo: The "As" already puts him in the Bundesliga
Photo: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP
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Free transfer again – Pogba before returning to Turin
Free transfer from Manchester United to Turin to Juventus, back to the Red Devils for more than 100 million euros - and now again free transfer to Juve: France's world champion Paul Pogba is about to swap clubs again and go back to the place, where the 29-year-old midfielder spent the most successful four years of his career between 2012 and 2016.
This is reported, among other things, by the Italian transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
At United, where Pogba was already active for various youth teams between 2009 and 2012, the star player only occasionally flashed his talent and fell far short of expectations.
Because his contract in Manchester expires at the end of June, Pogba can leave the club again for a free transfer.
At Juventus, 16 points behind champions AC Milan, only fourth in the past Serie A season, Pogba should now help to make the former series champion a candidate for the Scudetto again.
Rumor from Spain: Will Bayern replace Lewandowski with Ronaldo?
The Spanish sports newspaper »AS« is now mixing an adventurous rumor into the speculation about Robert Lewandowski's future at Bayern Munich.
Allegedly, the people of Munich should want to replace the Polish world footballer with Cristiano Ronaldo if he moves to FC Barcelona, as the newspaper reports without naming specific sources.
Accordingly, Bayern have assured the Portuguese superstar that they want to start the renewed attack on winning the Champions League with him.
It has long been speculated that 37-year-old Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United after just one season.
According to reports, there are several interested parties in signing the five-time world footballer.
At the end of his career, Ronaldo is said to be looking for a new challenge at a top club with great title chances.
However, the Munich club leadership has recently assured again and again that they do not want to let the 33-year-old Lewandowski go.
"He has a contract until 2023. We're happy if he shows up with us on the first day of training," said Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn when introducing newcomer Sadio Mané.
Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic told the Sky TV channel about the chances of the top scorer staying: "So far it's 100 percent."
According to "Bild", FC Barcelona has increased its transfer offer for Lewandowski to 35 million euros.
The heavily indebted club wants to generate around 600 to 800 million euros by selling club assets in the next few weeks.
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Newcastle strengthen with goalkeeper Pope
Newly rich Premier League club Newcastle United, thanks to the entry of a Saudi Arabian consortium, have made their first »real« signing of the summer.
The 30-year-old goalkeeper Nick Pope is moving from relegated FC Burnley to the Magpies, who are said to have paid 10 million pounds, i.e. just over 11.5 million euros, for the services of the eight-time England international.
Previously, Newcastle had already spent around 17.5 million euros on left-back Matt Target, but Aston Villa's arrival was already active as a loan player for Newcastle in the second half of last season.
In total, the traditional club has spent more than 150 million euros on the transfer market since the Saudi takeover.
The investments were already having an effect in the second half of the season: Newcastle had finished the first half of the season as penultimate, with the third-most points of the second series the team of new coach Eddie Howe climbed to eleventh place.
Gaul instead of Slomka: Podolski-Klub has a new coach
Bartosch Gaul will be the new coach of the Polish first division soccer team Gornik Zabrze and thus of 2014 world champion Lukas Podolski.
The 34-year-old spent four years in charge of the U23 team at Bundesliga club FSV Mainz 05, which plays in the regional league.
Gaul's contract ran until 2023. Both clubs had agreed not to disclose the transfer terms, according to a statement from Mainz on Friday evening.
Gaul worked for a total of seven years in the youth performance center of the FSV.
Podolski, who was born in Poland, switched to his favorite club from his youth a year ago.
Thommy moves from Stuttgart to Kansas
Midfielder Erik Thommy is moving to the USA from VfB Stuttgart.
After his expiring contract with the Bundesliga club was not extended, the 27-year-old signed with Sporting Kansas City until 2024.
This was announced by the Major League Soccer club on Thursday (local time).
The contract also includes an option until 2025. "It's a big step for me in my career," Thommy said in the statement.
cev/dpa