Football transfer news and rumours: 'Chelsea make Robert Lewandowski top target'

The word on the (internet) street is that new Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has set his sights on signing Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski - and isn't put off by the £80million valuation for the 29-year-old.

The Daily Star seem to think that Lewandowski has been Chelsea's number one target all along, with interest in Gonzalo Higuain fading.

Niko Kovac, who only recently took charge of Bayern, is adamant that his star striker won't be going anywhere:

“There’s nothing new with Robert. It’s clear that he will not leave the club this summer, because we have a top striker and certainly do not want to give him away.

“It’s true that Lewandowski is flirting with a move. But what he wants is one thing and what we want is another. We’re Bayern, we have a top striker, and we won’t listen to people from the outside telling us what to do.”

Lewandowski is eager for a move after four years spent at the Allianz Arena and has reportedly decided that the Premier League is the only place for him. Well, it is if you read the British press. 

How are the top six Premier League clubs shaping up ahead of the new season?

In Spain the rumour is that Lewandowski would very much enjoy wearing the famous white of Real Madrid but Julen Lopetegui's declaration of admiration for Gareth Bale, and their financial difficulties, make that move seem unrealistic.

Lewandowski would replace Alvaro Morata, who has been linked with a transfer to AC Milan.

Rojo's modern strife

Our man Luke Ewards reports that Everton think they might want to buy Marcos Rojo from Manchester United - but only if he'll lower his wage demands from a frankly rather inflated £120,000 a week.

The Argentinian can play at centre-back or left-back but won't be a first, or even second choice for Jose Mourinho in either this season. Mourinho wants to make room for a first rate centre-back in his squad and is absolutely willing to listen to any offers around the £20million mark, having paid £16million to sign him from Sporting Lisbon four years ago.

Rojo only signed a new contract in March but with Mourinho growing increasingly agitated at United's lack of transfer window business and desperate for new recruits, loyalty counts for nothing. Especially if that loyalty costs £120,000 a week.

If not Everton, Wolves are said to be interested. Rojo isn't.

What's it all about, Alfie?

Fulham are intent on cementing their Premier League status and have already spent a large amount of football cash on improving the promotion winning squad. The next confirmed signing is Aleksandar Mitrovic from Newcastle, with the striker joining for a fee believed to be around £22million to £27million with add-ons, and after that, they're expected to complete a deal for Alfie Mawson.

After his move, Mitrovic said:

"I'm very glad and happy and proud to finally be here and officially become a Fulham player. I'm happy to the moon and back.

"I have love for the fans. They're amazing fans and I have a really good connection with them.

"This is a big club and last year we made history, we did big things, and I want to continue this. We want to keep making big things, and with all the fans behind us I think we can go far."

Meanwhile, Mawson is due in for a medical on Tuesday at Craven Cottage to complete a £20million move from Swansea. That transfer would give the Welsh club funds to make a bid for Aberdeen's high-potential centre-back Scott McKenna. The 21-year-old has already captained Scotland and been the subject of speculation and bids from English clubs but won't be going anywhere for under £10million.

Martial parts

According to Paris United, Man Utd have offered striker Anthony Martial to PSG for the lowly sum of £70million, with the wantaway striker said to be keen to escape the increasingly unpredictable antics of Jose Mourinho.

While that managerial volcano threatens to erupt, Martial has left United's American pre-season tour to be present for the birth of his second child and isn't best pleased about Mourinho's reaction to him doing exactly that.

Ed Woodward sees Martial as a key player for the future but Mourinho is unhappy with numerous things about him, including the fact the Frenchman still hasn't returned to the training camp.

"Anthony Martial has the baby and after the baby is born - beautiful baby, full of health, thank God - he should be here and he is not here", said Mourinho after Man Utd's miserable International Champions Cup defeat to Liverpool.

Stamford Bridge is over troubled Drinkwater

Danny Drinkwater's move to Chelsea hasn't really worked out and now that they've spent big on Jorginho and already have several much better (sorry Danny) midfielders on the books, Maurizio Sarri is happy to sell the former Fox.

Luckily for Drinkwater, Leicester are willing to forgive him for leaving them, especially because Chelsea are apparently willing to accept bids of around £20million for a player they signed for £35million last summer.

The Sun says there's also the possibility that Leicester take Drinkwater on a season long loan deal, which doesn't sound like an incredibly financially savvy move on the part of Chelsea. That said, they are the ones who paid £35million for Danny Drinkwater.

If Leicester can't agree a deal, Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Southampton are all reportedly interested in the 28-year-old England international.

Say what you Mina

In yet more Man Utd related transfer news, rumoured target Yerry Mina has caused quite the stir on social media by removing "is a player for FC Barcelona" from his various profiles and following Man Utd on Instagram. Clearly, there can be only one explanation.

United are looking for cheaper alternatives to Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld and see the Colombian centre-back as reasonably priced option.

Spanish website Sport  says the social media activity has created rumour "like wildfire in the Colombian media" and according to various media outlets, £27million might be enough to convince Barca to sell.

Ernesto Valverde isn't believed to be a huge fan of the defender, who scored against England in the World Cup, and Barca have already signed Clemence Lenglet from Sevilla as a replacement.

And the rest of the dubious rumour mill

Premier League summer transfer window ins and outs

Rafa Benitez's tiny budget means he might not be able to push through the £8million signing of Ajax and Argentina left-back Nicolas Tagliafico. Michael Owen is still Newcastle's record signing, from 2005.

Liverpool only want to sell Divock Origi and not loan him out, but most clubs are put off by the huge asking price (around £20million+) and want to loan him. It's tense. And even better, winger Lazar Markovic can go anywhere he wants if, basically, anyone is willing to pay any money for him.

Arsenal have told Lazio they will have to pay £7million to sign Lucas Perez, even though Unai Emery is said to quite like the forward.

Thomas Tuchel has refused to speculate on links between PSG and N'Golo Kante. That'll be the last we hear of that one then.