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And in other news, water is wet.

Yes, unsurprisingly, Robert Lewandowski has been voted as Germany’s Footballer of the Year after a quite astounding season for the Poland international.

? @lewy_official has been voted Germany’s Footballer of the Year, ahead of Müller and Kimmich ?#MiaSanMia #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/pv3j59eUvt

— CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE ? (@FCBayernEN) August 30, 2020

It’s the 32-year-old’s first time scooping the gong in his career, doing so with 272 of the 525 votes cast by members of the Association of German Sports Journalists, working alongside German publication Kicker to determine a winner.

Fellow Bayern Munich teammates Thomas Muller and Joshua Kimmich finished in second and third places in the voting.

Records were smashed left, right and centre by the devastating striker, who notched a career-high 55 goals in just 47 competitive appearances in the 2019/20 campaign. His goals didn’t go without reward, as he claimed the treble with Die Roten, securing his first ever Champions League title en route.

Not only that, but he became the first player in history to win a continental treble of Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League while finishing as the top scorer in each competition.

CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE ?

Congratulations, @FCBayernEN! pic.twitter.com/RWVTDwp06q

— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) August 23, 2020

“Lewandowski was undoubtedly the best striker in the world this past season,” Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus told Kicker. “Who knows how hard he’s worked to become the best he can be? I can only tip my hat to him – he fully deserves this award.”

Masterminding their surge towards silverware was Best Coach winner Hans-Dieter Flick, who took over the reins from Niko Kovac in December. He oversaw and incredible turnaround in the club’s fortunes, guiding them on their current 30-game unbeaten run in all competitions – a run that included a 21-game winning streak,

Jurgen Klopp was the most recent winner of the award, his third overall, with 55-year-old Flick earning the prize for the first time in his career. Previously acting as assistant coach in the German national team, his only other head coach role came when he was in charge of Hoffenheim between 2000-2005.

For more from Ross Kennerley, follow him on Twitter!

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La Liga have sided with Barcelona in the Lionel Messi contract saga by releasing a statement insisting the 33-year-old can’t leave Barcelona unless his release clause (rumoured to be €700m) is met.

Player and club have been embroiled in a legal battle surrounding Messi’s future, as the Argentine has handed in a transfer request in order to push through a departure this summer.

Official statement by La Liga. They side with Barcelona in Leo Messi contract battle: “Current deal is still valid and paying release clause for €700m is the only way out”. ?

Manchester City are still waiting for Barça decision. ? #MCFC pic.twitter.com/p15IWcBRMg

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2020

Messi has a clause in his contract that stipulates he may walk away from the club for free at the end of each season, but this is only if he provides prior warning of his decision and does so in a particular time frame.

For last season, that was 10 June, which Barcelona argue has expired, although Messi’s legal team claim this was extended to meet with the coronavirus pandemic postponing football.

Now, in another twist, La Liga have released a statement saying that he will not be sanctioned to leave by the league without his release clause been paid – a potential blow to Messi’s exit hopes and suitors Manchester City.

More to follow…

For more from Ross Kennerley, follow him on Twitter!

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Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo is stalling on signing a new contract over concerns about the club’s lack of transfer funds.

Nuno, who only has one year left on his current deal, is holding back on agreeing a new three-year stay at Molineux over fears that he will be unable to bring in reinforcements, while his mood is said to have worsened following the sale of popular wing-back Matt Doherty to Tottenham.

That’s according to the Mirror, who add that Nuno saw Doherty as an integral and important member of his squad. Instead, the Republic of Ireland international has been allowed to join Tottenham on a four-year deal, in a deal that could be worth around £15m.

Wolves’ Portuguese boss is thought to be keen on convincing his best players – the likes of Raul Jimenez, Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota – that the club is continuing to head in the right direction, and will look to add more quality players rather than become a selling club.

There is hope, though, that the money generated from Doherty’s sale will help Wolves pursue a move for utility Arsenal star, Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Gunners have already rejected a bid of around £15m for the 23-year-old, but it’s believed the club may be willing to agree a deal if Wanderers bid is raised to around £20m.

Maitland-Niles put in a man-of-the-match display for Arsenal against Liverpool in Saturday’s Community Shield clash at Wembley, while he also impressed in the FA Cup final against Chelsea last month. His form has earned him a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s 25-man England squad, ahead of next month’s clashes against Iceland and Denmark.

It’s well known that Maitland-Niles wants to play more regular first-team football, and that’s something
Wolves and fellow interested party Newcastle are more likely to offer.

He fits the profile of signing that Nuno is understood to be looking for, while the Mirror’s report adds that interest remains in Athletic Club defender Unai Nunez. The Spaniard has a release clause of €27m, but a move has not yet been made as Wolves’ owners – Fosun International – want to ensure the club’s books are balanced during this period of financial uncertainty.

It remains 90min’s understanding that a new contract will be signed, however, before the 2020/21 Premier League season gets underway.

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“Lord, what a difference a day makes…”

A matter of hours ago, Arsenal fans were intrigued by the prospect of selling one of their academy products for a figure in the region of £20m; funding that would go some way towards helping the club obtain their key targets this summer.

It’s a case of selling before buying for Mikel Arteta, who has already spent £7.2m making Pablo Mari’s loan move permanent, while a £27m deal for Gabriel Magalhaes is just a matter of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.

Oh, so ???? is how Ainsley’s birthday gets better…

Congratulations, @MaitlandNiles! ???????

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 29, 2020

A penalty shootout victory over Liverpool, no matter how impressive, does not mask over the need to reinforce the squad before 6 October in order to enhance the Gunners’ chances of securing a top four berth next season. However, they may need to reassess who makes way for funding after a man-of-the-match display from Maitland-Niles.

The most versatile member at Arteta’s disposal put in another disciplined shift at left wing-back, marshaling the threat of Mohamed Salah for long periods at Wembley – his performance being topped off with an ice-cold penalty after the 1-1 draw.

He was, in no lesser terms, quite superb on Saturday. And in the blink of an eye, perceptions from the fanbase have been altered drastically in favour of retaining the Hale End graduate.

Perhaps this sudden change in mindset is more emotive than we think. As good as Maitland-Niles was, he put in similar displays – in unfavoured positions again – in both the semi-final and final of the FA Cup, overseeing victories against Manchester City and Chelsea respectively.

Man of the match in a Community Shield win, now called up to the England squad for the first time.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has had himself a birthday ? pic.twitter.com/FpGvXIKHpq

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 29, 2020

Given that the interest in the 23-year-old is now concrete with Wolves’ failed £15m bid, seeing Maitland-Niles demonstrate his professionalism again directly after such movements in the transfer market has re-opened the debate on whether he should be sold.

It’s largely agreed that cashing in on the midfielder-by-trade is not Arteta’s preferred means of garnering funding. Maitland-Niles wants to further his career playing in central midfield, thus has considered his future, but he’s excelling in the wing-back slot, earning recognition from Gareth Southgate in the process.

Lifting the Community Shield on his birthday, being the best player on the park and then securing a maiden senior England call-up to top it all off, maybe he, just like Arsenal, will revise their thinking.

Should Arsenal do so, or is this now an opportunity to command an even higher fee for their versatile man? £15m now looks a snip for player improving week upon week, who is on course to earn a maiden international cap.

? Mikel Arteta responds to the speculation surrounding Ainsley Maitland-Niles ?

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 27, 2020

Arteta clearly thinks otherwise, a position cemented by his decision to field Maitland-Niles for the big occasions. The Spaniard said: “The best way to show that is that I have played him in the most important games of the season and he responded really well, so that’s where we are with the player.”

This is unlikely to change after another impressive display.

With significant deadwood needing to be trimmed to stand any chance of securing their preferred targets, there is scope to accrue funds elsewhere within the squad without the need to sell the Wolves target.

Everyone does, however, have their price. If someone where to test the waters with a bid doubling the one already received, it’s hard to see Arsenal standing firm. That would have been before Raul Sanllehi left, though.

A Man of the Match performance topped off with an ice-cold penalty ?

Not a bad birthday for Ainsley Maitland-Niles ?#CommunityShield pic.twitter.com/RDUR0zecsD

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) August 29, 2020

Now, with Arteta and Edu leading the recruitment side of matters, who, and at what price they sell, will be managed differently.

Maitland-Niles declared after securing the Community Shield: “I’m an Arsenal player until I’m told otherwise. My heart is with this club. Whilst I’m here I’m going to give 100% every time.”

That shift in attitude comes down the manager’s influence. Under Unai Emery, it was made very clear by Maitland-Niles that he had no interest in being fielded as a full-back or wing-back. At that point, selling seemed the only option. Now, with two Wembley wins in two successive matches, the turnaround is quite striking.

Every team needs that kind of player. One who can come in when numbers are light, pick up the pieces across the starting lineup and put in a dedicated performance each time they take to the field. Y’know, your John O’Shea type. Yet, working off recent months – and Saturday in particular – Maitland-Niles doesn’t need to be that player. He is very much the player.

? “I’m an Arsenal player until I am told otherwise…”

Birthday boy Ainsley Maitland-Niles and
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both coy on their futures, but tell @lynseyhipgrave1 it’s exciting times at Arsenal following their #CommunityShield win ? pic.twitter.com/TXYulKKxPp

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) August 29, 2020

Arteta fancies him, he does a better job at wing-back then the club’s actual wing-backs, so operating as a utility player may be out of the question. There is no reason for him not to be a regular starter for the coming campaign, wherever that position may be. Someone who you can bend and mould into any one position wouldn’t come cheap in today’s market.

Even if they did, they wouldn’t have connection to the club that Maitland-Niles does.

If the figures being mentioned for the Goodmayes-born man were much higher, then this debate might not be so conflicting. But as it stands, £15m is nowhere close to what he is, and could, be worth in the future.

Sell to buy, yes. But not him. Not on this form.

For more from Ross Kennerley, follow him on Twitter!

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Chelsea’s transfer spending spree looks set to continue after the west Londoners made an improved bid of £18m for Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The 28-year-old Senegal international only joined Rennes last summer but after playing an instrumental role in the club’s third-place league finish – ensuring their first-ever participation in the Champions League – Mendy has attracted attention outside of France.

Chelsea’s current number one Kepa Arrizabalaga endured a confidence sapping end to the 2019/20 campaign as manager Frank Lampard repeatedly favoured 38-year-old Willy Caballero. Arrizabalaga was dropped for Chelsea’s crucial final league game of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers and the FA Cup final the following week.

Lampard’s latest attempt to land a new goalkeeper has seen the Blues make an £18m bid for Mendy, according to Goal. Chelsea’s initial offer of £15m last week was rejected by Rennes as per reports from The Sun.

Arrizabalaga – the world’s most expensive goalkeeper – has come under heavy criticism in his second season at Chelsea, with many citing his woeful save percentage of 55%, the worst rate in the Premier League. Mendy, on the other hand, can point to a record of 78% in the same statistics in the last campaign, the third-best ratio in the French top flight.

Mendy is far from the first goalkeeper Lampard’s side has been linked with this summer. Chelsea were rumoured to be plotting a move for Manchester United’s much sought-after Dean Henderson, although such talk has died down after the 23-year-old signed a new five-year deal with the Red Devils.

Atlético Madrid’s reliable shot stopper Jan Oblak was also linked with a sensational switch to Stamford Bridge earlier in the window, while the Blues are thought to have a long standing interest in Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana.

In stark contrast to the cautious approach of other clubs following the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis, Chelsea have already spent in excess of £120m this transfer window. Last season’s fourth-placed side are also on the cusp of adding the German forward Kai Havertz for £90m to an ever-expanding roster of glittering names Mendy could perhaps join.

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