By DAN KARELL
Robert Lewandowski is quickly winning over both teammates and coaches at Bayern Munich.
The Polish international, who joined Bayern this summer on a free transfer from rivals Borussia Dortmund, scored three goals in two days as Bayern took home the Telekom Cup, a preseason tournament hosted in Hamburg.
Lewandowski opened his scoring with a cheeky lob against Borussia Mönchengladbach in a game Bayern eventually won on penalty kicks. He then scored twice in the final in a 3-0 rout of VfL Wolfsburg.
“A top player, he has it all,” Bayern head coach Pep Guardiola said after the final against Wolfsburg.
“We all know what he can do,” stated Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer.
The 25-year-old forward for his part believes there’s still room for growth in his game as he acquires match-fitness ahead of the 2014-2015 season.
“That’s not my top form,” Lewandowski said.
Here’s some more stories to kick off your week:
PSG ADVANCING WITH DI MARIA TRANSFER
The future of Angel Di Maria looks more and more likely that it will be away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
According to reports in Spain, Paris Saint-Germain are finalizing a move to sign Di Maria, and are willing to pay upwards of 80 million euros ($108 million) to Real Madrid, which would make him the most expensive sale in club history. The deal is being held up by financial fair play regulations, as PSG must sell someone to recoup some of the money they plan to spend on Di Maria and have already spent on David Luiz.
Real Madrid’s record sale occurred last season when Arsenal snapped up Mesut Özil for a reported 50 million euros. Di Maria’s move, which is reportedly 70 million euros plus another 10 million euros in add-ons, would blow that one out of the water.
Di Maria is currently on vacation after playing with Argentina at the World Cup and leading them to the final, only to fall short to Germany in extra time.
ATLETI ANNOUNCE GRIEZMANN DEAL
Atletico Madrid have signed one of the brightest young stars in French soccer.
The club announced on Monday that they’ve agreed a transfer fee with Real Sociedad for winger Antoine Griezmann. The deal will be completed as soon as Griezmann passes his physical exam and signs his new contract.
Reports in Spain state that Atletico Madrid will be forking out 30 million euros for the 24-year-old, who starred for France at the 2014 World Cup and was one of the best young players in La Liga with Sociedad. Last season, Griezmann scored 20 goals for Sociedad in all competitions, including La Liga, the Copa Del Rey, and UEFA Champions League.
QUICK KICKS
Carlo Tavecchio, a candidate to become the next president of the Italian FA, has been embroiled in a racism controversy after reportedly calling African players playing in Italy “banana eaters.” (REPORT)
Arsenal have completed a 16 million pound deal to bring 19-year-old Southampton defender Calum Chambers to the Emirates Stadium. (REPORT)
New Orlando City SC signing Kaka scored in his first game back with Sao Paulo but his club still lost in the Brazilian league, 2-1, to Goias. (REPORT)
Manchester United right back Rafael has been sent home from their U.S. tour due to a lingering groin injury. (REPORT)
Loic Remy’s proposed 8.5 million pound move from Queens Park Rangers to Liverpool has fallen through due to a reported failed physical. (REPORT)
Liverpool have completed the 20 million pound signing of Southampton defender Dejan Lovren, joining former Southampton teammates Adam Lallana and Ricky Lambert in Merseyside. (REPORT)
Lazio are set to sign Netherlands centerback Stefan de Vrij from Feyenoord for a fee of 8.5 million euros. (REPORT)
Arsenal have completed the signing of goalkeeper David Ospina from French club Nice, for a reported 3 million pounds. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Impressed with Lewandowksi’s start to the season? Do you see Di Maria moving to Paris? How do you see Griezmann fitting in to Diego Simeone’s playing style?
Share your thoughts below.