Cruyff not ruling out Lewandowski Barca move and fends off De Jong exit talk

By Sports Desk April 27, 2022

Jordi Cruyff declared "dreaming is free" when asked about the prospect of Barcelona signing Robert Lewandowski and says now is not the time to talk about Frenkie de Jong's future.

Lewandowski has only 14 months remaining on his Bayern Munich contract and has been linked with a move to Camp Nou.

Erling Haaland is also reportedly a target for the Blaugrana, but Manchester City are the favourites to land the Borussia Dortmund striker.

Barca technical director Cruyff on Wednesday stated the Catalan giants are keeping their options open in the transfer market.

He said at the inauguration of the Cruyff Court Constanti: "I haven't ruled out anyone. I'm not very willing to talk about names. There will be others who respond.

"The only thing you do is annoy the clubs where they play, I'm more concerned about the [current] squad. They're all great players."

Quizzed specifically about prolific Poland captain Lewandowski, Cruyff replied: "He is a player who has a contract, we are the last to decide. Dreaming is free."

 

De Jong's Barca future has been the subject of speculation, with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain thought to be keen on the midfielder.

Cruyff says the focus must be on securing Champions League qualification rather than potential transfer business.

He said: "They ask me about him because there is some criticism or doubt and I said that he is a highly valued player within the club and in the world of football and this is not the time to talk about this type of thing.

"We are in the middle of something that is above everyone, each one of us. We have to meet the minimum objectives and we are fighting for it."

Cruyff also revealed contract talks with Gavi and Ousmane Dembele are ongoing after Ronald Araujo signed a new deal this week.

"I think that these days or these weeks, it's time to work on them, we'll see if they end well or not," he said. "We're trying to achieve the same success as with Araujo."

Related items

  • ‘We are two great teams’ says Jose Mourinho ahead of Europa League final ‘We are two great teams’ says Jose Mourinho ahead of Europa League final

    Roma boss Jose Mourinho said Sevilla’s six previous Europa League trophy wins will count for little against his side in Wednesday’s final in Budapest.

    Sevilla are bidding for a record-extending seventh triumph at the Puskas Arena, in a match the Hungarian media have dubbed ‘The Specialists against The Special One’.

    Mourinho has yet to lose in five major European finals as a manager, while Sevilla have won all six of their Europa League finals.

    The Portuguese told a press conference: “History does not play. My colleague (Sevilla head coach Jose Luis Mendilibar) thinks otherwise, I have respect for him.

    “He believes that history makes Sevilla favourites, I respect that. We are in the final because we deserve to be.

    “They have a history that we do not have. For them to play the final is a normal thing, for us it is an extraordinary event.”

    Mourinho is aiming to become the first manager to win the Europa League with three different clubs after previous successes with Porto (2003) and Manchester United (2017).

    The 60-year-old former Chelsea boss added: “We are two great teams, with high-level players.

    “It’s curious because we talk about coaching experience, but we face a Sevilla side that has very accustomed players.

    “They are a bit more experienced in finals, but my team comes here ready. We have played a lot of European games in the last two seasons.”

    Mourinho’s latest European trophy triumph came last season when he led Roma to victory over Feyenoord in the inaugural Europa Conference League final.

    Roma finished second in this season’s Europa League qualifying group behind Real Betis and overcame RB Salzburg, Real Sociedad and Feyenoord in the knockout rounds before edging past Bayer Leverkusen 1-0 on aggregate in their semi-final.

    The Italian side, currently sixth in Serie A with one game remaining, could be boosted by the return of former United defender Chris Smalling (hip), while Argentina’s Paulo Dybala is hoping to play some part despite an ankle injury.

    Sevilla head coach Mendilibar, 62, will become the oldest manager to win the Europa League if the Andalusians seal a record-extending seventh tournament win.

    He said the side which makes the fewest errors on the night at the Puskas Arena will prevail.

    The former Eibar and Alaves boss said: “Mistakes are what you pay for in games like this and it’s about making the fewest mistakes possible.

    “We’ve eliminated big teams, but the most difficult one is ahead of us. Whoever makes the fewest mistakes will win.”

    Mendilibar has transformed Sevilla since replacing Jorge Sampaoli at the end of March when they were two points above LaLiga’s relegation zone.

    They have risen to 11th in the table, 10 points clear of the drop zone with one game left, and won their Europa League quarter-final and semi-final under Mendilibar against United and Juventus respectively.

  • Dujon Sterling ‘thrilled’ to sign Rangers deal after ending Chelsea career Dujon Sterling ‘thrilled’ to sign Rangers deal after ending Chelsea career

    Rangers have announced the signing of Chelsea right-back Dujon Sterling.

    The 23-year-old will join on a four-year contract on July 1 when his Chelsea deal expires.

    The versatile player made two substitute outings for Chelsea in cup competitions but has made more than 100 first-team appearances across loan spells with Coventry, Wigan, Blackpool and Stoke. He played 28 times this season with Sky Bet Championship side Stoke.

    Rangers manager Michael Beale told his club’s official website: “I am delighted to welcome Dujon to Rangers, he is an exciting young player who, I’m sure, will be a great addition to our squad.

    “He is someone I was aware of from my time at Chelsea, and I have always kept an eye on his career as it has progressed.

    “He is a very powerful and strong defender, who has fantastic attacking qualities and I look forward to working with him at Rangers.”

    Sterling added: “I am really excited to come to such a big club, there’s a lot of history and the supporters are so passionate, so I am thrilled.

    “I wasn’t expecting to make my mind up about my future this quickly, but the gaffer came in for me straight away and what he proposed to me was everything that I believe I need.

    “We were on the same wavelength, he believes in me and I believe in what he is trying to do as well so it was a no-brainer for me to come.”

  • Hibernian to host 24-hour charity match in memory of late owner Ron Gordon Hibernian to host 24-hour charity match in memory of late owner Ron Gordon

    Hibernian will host a 24-hour charity football match at their training ground next month in memory of their late owner Ron Gordon.

    The event will kick off at 3pm on Saturday, June 24 and finish the following afternoon, with as many supporters as possible encouraged to participate, while there will also be involvement from Lee Johnson’s first team.

    Gordon died in February after a battle with cancer and funds raised from the match in his honour will go to the Hibernian Community Foundation.

    “Ron was an extremely passionate man and someone who cared dearly about the role the football club plays in the local community,” said chief executive Ben Kensell.

    “We want to create something special and something that carries on the legacy of a great man, by bringing supporters and people together, right to the heart of the football club, to raise money for the Hibernian Community Foundation.

    “I think this challenge is really exciting and could be really testing – especially for those playing at 3am or 4am – but ultimately, it’ll be a good laugh for everyone and will bring the football club, the supporters, and the Community Foundation all together.”

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.