The Robert Lewandowski transfer saga is finally over. The Polish superstar has completed his long-awaited move to La Liga as Barcelona came to terms on a deal with Bayern Munich.
And it appears Barca’s summer transfer business is still far from over, with Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde reportedly in their sights.
Meanwhile, the latest Cristiano Ronaldo rumours have him making a return to Madrid, but not with Real. And another veteran Manchester United striker could be on his way to Spain.
Read on below as SBOTOP rounds up the biggest La Liga 2022 news from the last few days.
Robert Lewandowski completes Barcelona move
After a protracted transfer saga, Barcelona have finally landed Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich in a €50 million deal.
The Catalan club will reportedly pay a fixed fee of €45 million and a potential €5 million more in add-ons.
The Polish international has signed a three-year contract with a fourth-year option. He is also reportedly set to earn a 9 million euros per year, which is similar to his salary with Bayern.
The soon-to-be 34-year-old scored an incredible 344 goals in 375 career appearances in his eight years with Bayern, including 50 goals last season.
Lewandowski will lead a star-studded Barca attack that already features former Borussia Dortmund team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres, Raphinha, Ansu Fati, Ousmane Dembele, and Memphis Depay.
Lewandowski is already with Barcelona, who are on their tour of the US in Miami, but he didn’t play in their pre-season match against Inter Miami, which they won 6-0. Barca new boy Raphinha got his first goal for the club, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ansu Fati, and Gavi also got on the scoresheet. Memphis Depay scored a brace to complete the blowout.
Barca set sights on new centre-back
With the deals for Lewandowski and Raphinha all sorted out, Barcelona are now set to turn their attention on strengthening their defence. They have been strongly linked with Chelsea centre-back Cesar Azpilicueta, who only has one year left on his contract.
Barcelona have already signed one Chelsea defender this summer in centre-back Andreas Christensen and have also been linked with left-back Marcos Alonso. The Catalans have apparently had a contract proposal for Azpilicueta since March.
Barca have also been linked with Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, whose arrival could significantly boost their La Liga 2022 odds for the title. Although they face stiff competition from Chelsea, who have long been interested in the 23-year-old Frenchman.
The Blues reportedly had their initial bid of €55 million plus add-ons for Kounde rejected by Sevilla, who are seeking a €65 million fee for their star defender.
Chelsea have already signed Kalidou Koulibaly, but they still need to sign at least one more centre-back after losing Antonio Rudiger, Christensen, and potentially Azpilicueta.
Meanwhile, Memphis Depay – who has fallen lower in the Barca pecking order with Lewandowski’s arrival – could be used by Barcelona as a potential make-weight in a deal for Kounde.
Depay, 28, contributed to 14 goals in 28 LaLiga appearances for Barca last season and could add another attacking option to the Rojiblancos.
Cristiano Ronaldo linked with shock move to Atletico Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo’s uncertain future is once again a massive storyline this summer. The 37-year-old has expressed his desire to leave Manchester United this summer in a bid to play Champions League football, but his options appear limited, with big clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea ruling out a move for the Portuguese superstar.
But now, a new team has been linked with a shock move for Ronaldo, and it’s Atletico Madrid, who have been on the receiving end of Ronaldo’s brilliance countless times in the past.
However, that rumoured move might not come off, with Atleti reportedly lacking the financial capability to make a deal work with Ronaldo.
Atletico currently have Alvaro Morata, who played with Ronaldo at Juventus, Joao Felix, who is Ronaldo’s Portuguese international team-mate, Antoine Griezmann, the under-utilised Matheus Cunha, and Angel Correa as options at striker.
Edinson Cavani closing in on Villarreal deal
While Ronaldo’s return to La Liga is looking unlikely, there’s another veteran Manchester United striker who is getting closer to a move to Spain, and it’s Edinson Cavani.
The 35-year-old, who is currently a free agent, is reportedly close to sealing a move to Villarreal, according to Marca.
Cavani spent the last two seasons with Manchester United, scoring 19 goals in 59 appearances. However, he was limited to just 2 goals in 20 appearances last season, in part due to Ronaldo’s arrival at the club.
Cavani would add to Villarreal’s striker options, which currently include Spanish international Gerard Moreno, Arnaut Danjuma, Paco Alcacer, and Samuel Chukwueze.
Takefusa Kubo makes Real switch
Takefusa Kubo is switching from Real to La Real as the Japanese international completed his move to Real Sociedad.
The 21-year-old did not make a single appearance for Real Madrid’s first team as he was sent on loan to Mallorca, Villarreal, and Getafe over the last three years. He spent last season with Mallorca, where he scored a goal in 28 La Liga appearances.
Kubo will play alongside David Silva, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi in the La Real midfield.
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