No crazy wages for Lewandowski

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Bayern Munich are in the process of offering star striker Robert Lewandowski a new and improved contract, but the Bundesliga champions will not be paying the Pole ‘crazy’ wages.

The 27-year-old’s current deal runs until June 2019 but the Bavarians are determined to lock in the former Borussia Dortmund hitman amid interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Discussions are ongoing but Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – who played for the German giants between 1974 and 1984 – has suggested negotiations could be drawn out over wage demands.

‘We have had a number of meetings with Lewandowski’s agents. We are ready to renew his contract,’ Rummenigge told Bild.

‘We will definitely not sell him. But we have always been willing to change a player’s contract if the situation or his value changes.

‘We will not be paying the kind of wages on offer at Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, though. We are paying some very good wages, but those clubs are paying crazy figures.

‘You do not win more trophies [by paying such wages] anyway.’

Lewandowski scored a hugely impressive 30 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances last term, and 42 in 51 in all competitions, as Bayern cruised to a domestic double, also lifting the German Cup.

GERMANY

• Arsenal and Everton target Julian Draxler has been fined by Wolfsburg after the 22-year-old Germany forward demanded a transfer.
• Jose Mourinho would have fought for the signature of Portugal wonderkid Renato Sanches if he had arrived in the Manchester United hot seat earlier. The 18-year-old joined Bayern Munich from Benfica in an initial 29 Million pounds deal in May, despite strong interest from the Old Trafford club.

ENGLAND

• Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko has said talks are taking place over a transfer and he would welcome the chance to join Real Madrid.
• Jurgen Klopp has praised the attitude and work ethic of Lazar Markovic but admitted that the winger’s Liverpool future is up in the air.
• Leicester City fully expect to retain Riyad Mahrez and the rest of their remaining players from last year’s title-winning side, manager Claudio Ranieri says.
• Middlesbrough are lining up a move for Cardiff City defender Fabio da Silva.
• Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal are happy to pay big money for a striker if they can find the right player. After his side thrashed Viking FK 8-0 in Norway on Friday, the Frenchman said: “It’s not the prices, it’s the players. The money is never a problem if you have to pay what is requested.
• Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said that “it makes sense” for Christian Benteke to leave the club and he believes the Belgian striker has accepted this.
• West Ham United have agreed a fee of about 20Million pounds to sign Ghana striker Andre Ayew from Swansea City. The 26-year-old was the Swans’ top scorer with 12 last season after signing on a free transfer from Marseille in 2015. Ayew is now discussing personal terms with the Hammers.

ITALY

• Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has said there is “no point” in talking about a replacement for Paul Pogba, adding that the France international would be back in training with the club on Monday.
• Roma boss Luciano Spalletti has confirmed that he hopes to sign Barcelona defender Thomas Vermaelen.
• Vermaelen joined Barca from Arsenal in 2014 but has struggled with injuries throughout his time at the Camp Nou.
• Spalletti said Roma sporting director Walter Sabatini has opened talks with Barca over the Belgium international, but no agreement has yet been reached.
• Fiorentina are still being linked with a move for Aston Villa midfielder Carlos Sanchez.
• Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been offered to Serie A sides Napoli and Inter Milan.

SPAIN

• Real Madrid have joined a number of clubs in the chase to sign Italian starlet Andrea Favilli.
• Real Madrid are willing to part ways with Isco this summer, reports AS.
• The European champions have decided that they must make room for new arrivals by cashing in on players who are already at the club, and Isco could leave the Spanish capital.
• However, Madrid are only willing to sell the Spain playmaker if they receive a lucrative offer for his services.

Sources: BBC, SkySports, soccernet.com, mailonline