ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI has been told to stay at Borussia Dortmund next season. The Polish striker, 24, demolished Real Madrid with a four-goal supershow in last night’s Champions League semi-final first leg.

And he is in demand with Manchester United one of the clubs who have been heavily linked with a move for him.

Lewandowski is out of contract next summer and has yet to commit to a new deal.

Dortmund have already lost star midfielder Mario Gotze to German rivals Bayern Munich this week after he triggered his own release clause.

But boss Jurgen Klopp said: “I don’t get the feeling Robert is on the run. We’ll just have to see what happens.”

Lewandowski refused to discuss his future after thrashing Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid.

But Dortmund general manager Hans-Joachim Watzke outlined the club’s determination to keep him for another 12 months.

Watzke said: “Our wish is explicit that he stays here.

“We will even do without receiving a transfer fee for him — that doesn’t interest us in the slightest.

“Robert’s contract runs until 2014 and, unlike Mario Gotze, there is no get-out clause.”

Klopp believes Poland international Lewandowski last night wrote his name into Dortmund folklore.

He added: “Whenever I walk through the club’s museum, I always see the same old videos.

“Maybe now Robert’s four goals will find a place in there but for that to happen, we have got to build on this in the second leg.”

Despite holding a handsome first-leg lead, Klopp insists his side will not sit back in next week’s return at the Bernabeu.

The highly-rated coach said: “We are not a team who can simply defend a result. We always want to attack.

“I brought Sebastian Kehl and Kevin Grosskreutz on tonight to strengthen us defensively.

“The first thing they did was in the Real Madrid penalty area. I think that says it all.

“We have played an extraordinary game against a fantastic team but nothing has been decided yet.

“But even if we get knocked out, nobody can take this night away from us.”
A star performance has only fuelled speculation of Lewandowski moving to Bayern Munich or Manchester United, while he has also been linked with Juventus.

BUT .... !!

The 24-year-old's contract does not expire until the summer of 2014 and has no release clause but his representative, Maik Barthel, claims an agreement is in place.

Barthel is quoted as telling Sport Bild: "We are in agreement with a club and have the right to change this summer. All the claims of Dortmund are met."

After the famous win over Real, Dortmund had insisted they had not given up hope Lewandowski could remain at the club.

SOURCE : TheSun.co.uk, SkySports

Just how much are Manchester United willing to spend this summer?

Manchester United have been linked with a number of high profile players over the last month, mostly attackers - none of who will come cheap.

It has led to The Sun's sensational back-page story today that the Red Devils are to spend a whopping £120 million this summer.

But hold on - how is this even possible?

Well they claim £70 million will be accumulated via player sales, and then £50 million will be put up as a transfer kitty on top of that.

Let us dissect these claims!

This is how the Sun claim United are to make up that quite impressive figure of £70 million:

Nani (£15 million), Anderson (£10 million)

Where we take issue is the prospect of Hernandez leaving, because just 24 hours before the title winning game against Aston Villa, Sir Alex Ferguson said he wanted the Mexican to stay.

There may be pressure from his agent to secure more first team football, and if United did bring in a big name striker it could force him out, but we expect him to remain a United player next season.

As for Wayne Rooney, we also expect him to stay. He is happy in Manchester, despite the agenda of newspapers to make a story about it every time he is substituted. Rooney showed against Villa what a dynamic playmaker he can be, and has weighed in with some vital, if overlooked, contributions this campaign.

As for the players The Sun claim United are interested in buying, here they are:

Falcao, Robert Lewandowski, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The paper claim Ronaldo is the club's biggest priority, with a planned £65 million offer ready if indications come from Real Madrid a deal could be done, with two years remaining on his contract which has not been re-signed.

Lewandowski only has one year left on his, and a path to Bayern Munich now appears to be blocked, but there will be competition from Manchester City who have the ace of Edin Dzeko to offer Dortmund in exchange, but there are some rumours says that Bayern bought Lewandowski and Gotze from Borussia Dorthmund.

The Falcao deal is one Ferguson has denied, but we hardly expected him to come out and confirm it while the season is underway. A report in Spain previously claimed United put a downpayment on him with Atletico Madrid similar to how they did with De Gea.

All are ambitious and don't reflect United's need to sign midfield additions, or the possibility of bringing in an new winger like James Rodriguez of Porto or midfielder like PSV's Kevin Strootman.

Certainly don't take The Sun's story as gospel and get over-excited, that's our message.

Ryan Giggs has signed a new one-year contract, a deal that will keep the winger at Old Trafford until June 2014 and see him complete his 23rd season as a first-team player.

Giggs, the most decorated football player this country has ever seen, signed professional forms with United in 1990 and made his debut on 2 March 1991. Since then, he has made a club-record 931 appearances, scoring 168 goals. He has won 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two UEFA Champions Leagues, one Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “What can I say about Ryan that hasn’t already been said? He is a marvellous player and an exceptional human being. Ryan is an example to us all, the way in which he has, and continues to, look after himself. 

"He has fantastic energy for the game and it is wonderful to see. Ryan seems to reach a new milestone every week and to think that he now has 23 unbroken years of league goals behind him is truly amazing in the modern-day game. His form this year shows his ability and his enjoyment of the game are as strong as ever and I am absolutely delighted that he has signed a new contract.”

Ryan Giggs said: “I am feeling good, enjoying my football more than ever and, most importantly, I feel I am making a contribution to the team. This is an exciting team to be part of, with great team spirit, and we are again pushing for trophies as we head towards the business end of the season.

"I am delighted to have signed a new contract. I would like to thank Sir Alex and the coaching staff and I would also like to thank David Gill who has been a tremendous support over my many years here."

(manutd.com)

Ronaldo, who left United for a world record £80m transfer fee in 2009, has been linked with a return to Old Trafford.

Recent reports surfaced that United would be willing to pay £60m for the Portuguese superstar, who is unhappy that the La Liga giants haven't brought him to the negotiating table to discuss a new contract.

But why would Real Madrid give him for only £60m ?

Firstly, Ronaldo is out of contract with Real in 2015 and is unwilling at present to extend this term.

In the football World, a player’s value reduces as he approaches the end of his contract as, under the Bosman ruling, he can move for nothing when his contract expires.

Secondly, Ronaldo is 28 years old so probably has the majority of his top level career behind him.

A diminishing contract term and increasing age adds up to a reduced transfer fee, although £60 million still seems surprisingly low in today’s crazy marketplace for a player of his quality.

Of course, many thought that Ronaldo’s wage demands could not be accommodated in United’s salary structure.

At present, Real are paying him around £200,000 per week but he has intimated that he wouldn’t extend his contract with them for less than £400,000.

However last week, when he suggested in the SundayTimes newspaper that he would welcome a move back to Old Trafford, he added that money wasn’t everything.

He also told that he won't go to any other club in England except United or some rich clubs like PSG because he earned lot of money in Real Madrid (about 35 milions for playing and much more from sponsors)

So it is possible, isn't it ?

Manchester United are weighing up a move for the man who "could have killed" Robin van Persie, reports the Sunday People's Dave Kidd

Manchester United are weighing up a shock move for Swansea skipper Ashley Williams — the man Sir Alex Ferguson infamously claimed "could have killed" Robin van Persie.

Williams, who captains the Swans in today's Capital One Cup Final, is a known target of Liverpool, with former boss Brendan Rodgers a huge admirer.

But now Ferguson, who was raging about Williams kicking the ball at a grounded Van Persie during December's clash at Swansea, is keeping close tabs on the Wales centre-back as he looks to revamp his defence.

Table-topping United have conceded 31 goals in 26 Premier League games this term.

Rio Ferdinand, a close friend of Williams, may not stay at Old Trafford next season, while Nemanja Vidic has been injury-prone over the past two seasons.

Although 28-year-old Williams would cost at least £10million, Ferguson sees him as a potential experienced replacement after an outstanding 18 months in the top flight with the Swans.

Williams is under contract until 2015, an agreement which was signed only in October, and is believed to earn around £25,000 a week.

So Swansea would demand top dollar for a player who has also been the subject of bids from Newcastle and QPR since he arrived in the Premier League.

The report claims Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bring more midfielders to Old Trafford in the summer, with Paul Scholes set to confirm his retirement again and Nani expected to leave.

The Manchester United manager has made enquiries about Verratti, according to the Italy international’s agent.

“Many Italian clubs have contacted me to know the status of Verratti, but they are not the only ones to have done so,” Donato di Campli reportedly told Le 10 Sport.

“Big clubs in Spain and England are also interested in him. Barcelona and Manchester United are in the front row.

“Sir Alex Ferguson really likes Marco."

However, the 20-year-old is currently playing his trade for Ligue 1 big-spenders PSG and is playing under the man that hailed him as the “new Pirlo”, Carlo Ancelotti.

Verratti has been extremely impressive in his appearances for the French side this season and his role as a deep-lying playmaker have justified the comparisons with the evergreen Juventus star.

Manchester United could arguably be a perfect fit for the former Pescara star as he could fill the void left by Scholes’ departure and become an ideal partner for Michael Carrick.

However, PSG are unlikely to be outbid if Verratti’s star continues to rise and they look on course to be challenging for the Europe’s biggest honours in the next few years.

(givemefootball.com)

Manchester United midfielder Anderson has raised doubts over his future at the club after revealing he has attempted to leave Old Trafford on a number of occasions in the past.

Big things were expected from Anderson, 24, when he signed for United along with Nani in a big-money deal from Porto in 2007.

However, the Brazil international has struggled to cement his place in the Red Devils starting line-up, with injury often hampering his progress over the years.

When asked if he could return to Portugal, Anderson admitted he wants to leave United but is currently under contract.

"What can I say? I have three more years of contract, I have tried to leave many times and never succeeded to do so," he told Globo Esporte.

Anderson reportedly fell out with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009 after the Scot dropped him for the Community Shield clash with Chelsea. Ferguson was believed to have given his blessing for the midfielder to depart the club, but the player remains a useful member of the United squad

The former Porto man has made 18 appearances for United this season, scoring two goals.

United will try to sign new goalkeeper although they have great goalkeeper like De Gea!

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic says he expects to be sold in the summer but has yet to agree a deal with Manchester United. De Gea and Begovic are the best goalkeepers in England right now, but if United buy Begovic who will play in their matches ? It will be hard decision.

Sportsmail revealed in December how United proposed to bid for Begovic in January but the deal would be shelved until the summer due to Stoke’s determination to hold on to their star players for the season.

Liverpool and Manchester City have also shown interest but the Barclays Premier League leaders are favourites to sign the 25-year-old who is valued at £15million.

Begovic has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most consistent goalkeepers since joining from Portsmouth three years ago and is closing on 100 appearances for Stoke.

The Bosnia No 1 insists he has not made a decision on his future, but acknowledges Stoke’s recent signing of Jack Butland from Birmingham City will lead to his departure from the Britannia Stadium at the end of the season.

Begovic said: ‘I believe that Stoke didn’t buy Butland to be a reserve so I think I’m going to be sold in the summer.

‘I read in the papers that I said no to City and yes to United,’ Begovic told Oslobodjenje. ‘But the truth is, I haven’t decided on anything.

‘I didn’t say yes or no to anybody. I haven’t signed anything - no contract, no pre-contract. But I think I’m going to be sold in the summer.

‘To whom? I can’t move to a smaller club and I also know that some top clubs are interested in me. They are also the only ones who can afford
the fee.

TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY : REPORT !

ABOUT POSSIBLE SIGNINGS :

VICTOR WANYAMA (CELTIC) - Celtic defender Victor Wanyama says he will not be joining Manchester United in the January transfer window. "I can confirm to you that I will be at Celtic," he told the Daily Record. "We are playing well and our Champions League dream is on right now, so I am looking forward to the big game against Juventus."

Reports had indicated Wanyama would be open to a transfer to England and, although he reiterated his desire to remain at Celtic, he hinted his situation may change at the end of the campaign.

"A lot has been said about my intended move but I have not given it much thought and even my manager feels I should play until the end of the season for Celtic," he said.

"Then, from that point, the doors can be open for a move."


ASMIR BEGOVIC (STOKE CITY) - Stoke City goalkeeper, Begovic says he would join United more than City but he is still at Stoke City. Sir Alex didn't want to tell anything about Begovic sign so there is still oportunity for Begovic signing In Summer.

THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT DE GEA AND HIS POSITION IN THE CLUB AND SOME FANS AND PEOPLE WANT HIS REPLACEMENT ! THE ANSWER IS PLAYER ON THE PHOTO  !

His name is Asmir Begovic and he is 25 years old. He comes from Bosnia and Herzegovina and he plays for Stoke City. Lot of goalkeeper legends says that now he is evan better goalkeeper than Casillas. Both teams from Manchester are interested for Begovic.

When they asked him where would you like to go, United or City, he answered : United !
Lindegaard and De Gea are only goalkeepers at United at the moment and maybe United will try to buy him.