Transfer rumor roundup 5/22: Chelsea interested in Lewandowski

Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors from across the soccer world. Find out which players could be joining new teams this summer.

The highlight of Tuesday’s transfer rumors is that Chelsea are interested in signing Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, according to the Telegraph.

Chelsea have apparently made Lewandowski their number one target this summer and will be hoping to finalize a move before the start of the season. However, Chelsea have a number of outstanding issues within the club to sort before a deal to sign the forward can be sealed.

The Blues are still yet to confirm if manager Antonio Conte will remain in charge of the club going forward. The Telegraph is reporting that sacking Conte and his backroom staff would cost Chelsea in the region of $13.5 million, which is causing the delay in Conte’s exit from the club.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is also busy applying for a UK visa, though Chelsea are still keen to pursue the deal to sign Lewandowski even with issues at the club still to be dealt with. However, questions will be asked if the forward wants to move to Chelsea with the club in limbo.

Meanwhile Manchester City are reportedly back in for Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez after failing to sign the winger in January, according to reports in the Manchester Evening News.

City’s deal to sign Mahrez fell through in January after City were unwilling to match Leicester’s $128 million valuation. City were unwilling to pay more than $80 million and walked away from the deal.

However, according to Manchester Evening News, Leicester are willing to lower their valuation of the player. To try and avoid the transfer saga from the last two windows which saw Mahrez become increasingly frustrated at not being allowed to leave.

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Finally, the Independent is reporting Liverpool are looking to bolster the defensive ranks and are interested in James Tarkowski or Jamaal Lascelles.

Both players have done well for their respective clubs this season and have developed into good center-backs in the Premier League. Liverpool are reportedly happy with the starting pair of Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk.

But with another season of Champions League soccer and Liverpool hoping they can mount a credible challenge to league champions Manchester City, they will need more depth in defense which has been seen as the weakest part of their squad.