By DAN KARELL
Though nothing has been officially confirmed, the world’s worst kept secret of Robert Lewandowski’s free transfer next summer to Bayern Munich is continuing to go ahead as planned.
Now with less than six months remaining on his contract, the Borussia Dortmund star is free to negotiate a new contract with any team he wishes. Having previously expressed his desire to move south to Munich, Lewandowski will reportedly head there this weekend while the Bundesliga is on their winter break to undergo a medical examination with the Bayern staff ahead of an official announcement.
The report states that Lewandowski is choosing to move to Bayern ahead of a move to Real Madrid, who he torched for four goals in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals last season.
Lewandowski has arguably been the best striker in the Bundesliga since 2011, scoring a total of 57 league goals in that time span and 82 goals in all competitions.
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LAMPARD, IVANOVIC, OUT FOR ONE MONTH
Chelsea will be without two of their key veterans for at least the rest of the month.
Manager Jose Mourinho revealed following their New Year’s Day victory against Southampton that midfielder Frank Lampard and defender Branislav Ivanovic suffered injuries in the game that should keep them out through the end of January. Both Lampard (leg muscle) and Ivanovic (knee) were injured during Chelsea’s 2-1 win against Liverpool on Dec. 29.
Luckily for Chelsea, after their FA Cup third-round match against Derby County on Sunday, they only play three more times in January. Both Lampard and Ivanovic have played 26 times for Chelsea in all competitions this season.
BAYERN CHASE LUIZ SIGNING
Following a summer where he was strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge, David Luiz is once again the subject of transfer speculation in Germany.
Bayern Munich are linked once more with the Brazilian National Team defender, who improved the defensive side of his game at the Confederations Cup last summer and so far this season with Chelsea. According to the report in SportBild, Chelsea value Luiz at €29 million, a high price for Bayern but not one they wouldn’t be willing to pay.
The German treble winners have plenty of talent along the defensive line but with Holger Badstuber’s future up in the air after two successive torn ACLs, Bayern and Pep Guardiola might want to sign Luiz ahead of next season.
QUICK KICKS
Cardiff City have appointed former Manchester United player and assistant coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as the club’s new manager. (REPORT)
Wolfsburg have been told to pay at least £25 million if they want to sign Chelsea winger Kevin De Bruyne. (REPORT)
Paris Saint-Germain could make a bid for AS Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic next summer, with Javier Pastore potentially moving in the other direction. (REPORT)
Former Portuguese international Ricardo Quaresma took part in his first training session since signing recently with Porto on Wednesday. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Do you still expect Lewandowski to move to Bayern this summer? Do you see Chelsea overcoming the losses of Lampard and Ivanovic? Do you see Luiz moving to Bayern next summer?
Share your thoughts below.