Highlights: Liverpool beaten by Brentford for FOURTH straight league defeat
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Ratcliffe to block Lewandowski move
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim would be keen to bring Robert Lewandowski to Old Trafford on a free transfer.
But part-owner Jim Ratcliffe is unwilling to splash out on the 37-year-old Polish veteran’s wages because of his age.
The Mirror explains: “Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has put the block on a shock move to sign Robert Lewandowski. The Poland superstar is in the final year of his contract at Barcelona and has not been offered a new one.
“Now the veteran ex-Bayern Munich hitman is expected to leave the Spanish giants on a free transfer next summer.
“His departure would spark a mad scramble for his signature. United boss Ruben Amorim is a long-time admirer of the veteran striker. And he reckons luring Lewandowski to Old Trafford would have a positive impact on his side and help some of his other players develop.
“But Ratcliffe had made it clear United will not repeat mistakes of the past, when it comes to indulging in signing players coming towards the end of their careers.
“Despite being 37, Lewandowski is earning a staggering £540,000-a-week at Barca. And the expectation is that, amid their much-publicised financial issues, which has seen the Blaugrana leveraged to the hilt, he will be allowed to depart for a new challenge next summer.”
Barca plan Rashford bargain deal
Barcelona are delighted that it will cost just £26 million to complete a deal for Marcus Rashford next summer.
Rashford and the Catalan club are both hoping conditions will be right to ratify the transfer at the end of the season.
The Telegraph writes: “Barcelona are still surprised that a permanent deal with Manchester United will only cost them £26m at the end of the season.
“It represents a steal according to those close to the club’s sporting director Deco, who believes the player will be worth at least twice that much if he maintains his current level.
“Rashford is now saying very publicly that he wants to stay at Barcelona beyond next May. That’s Barça’s plan as things stand and a big Clasico performance will only increase the desire to make the deal permanent.”
Brighton may lose Baleba
The Daily Star believes Carlos Baleba could soon be on his way out of Brighton.
The midfielder almost joined Man Utd last summer, but the club could not afford him. A move this winter or next summer may now be on the cards.
The Daily Star states: “The midfielder was eager to make the switch, but a deal proved too complex to complete before the deadline.
“Brighton valued Baleba at approximately £100 million and have tied him down until the end of the 2027/28 campaign.
“Nevertheless, the player seems unlikely to remain at the club long-term, and United may rekindle their pursuit next year, either in January or during the upcoming summer window.”
Celtic target may become available
CFR Cluj may be ready to sell their Romanian international forward Louis Munteanu to raise funds.
The striker was wanted by Celtic, but could also be a target for Ajax, Valencia and Rennes too.
The Daily Record states: “CFR Cluj president Iuliu Muresan has admitted the club could be forced into a January sale of Louis Munteanu after Celtic saw a summer bid booted out.
“Sources in Romania credited Brendan Rodgers’ side with an interest in the 23-year-old during the window and even went as far as to report that they saw a bid worth £6.9 million turfed out by Cluj.
“Munteanu was also heavily linked with Valencia in La Liga and Rennes in Ligue 1. Following the end of the window, owner Ioan Varga claimed that the striker was on the brink of a blockbuster £17.5m move to Ajax – with the Dutch giants eventually opting to sign Kasper Dolberg and scuppering the Hoops’ late transfer window plans.
“Muresan now concedes that the cash-strapped club could be forced to sell their prize asset to balance the books in January with a number of clubs circling.”
