THE megastar striker considering a reunion in the EPL, a Chelsea forward wants a return to his former club, blows for Manchester United, and the Euro stars in demand.

All that and more in Thursday Rumour Mill!

LEWANDOWSKI OPEN TO EPL MOVE

Robert Lewandowski is considering a move to the Premier League after growing increasingly unsettled at Bayern Munich according to The Daily Mail.

The Polish striker has resisted interest in the past from clubs such as Manchester United, preferring to make his name in Germany at Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

He is currently discussing an extension with his contract at Bayern but is understood to have told friends he is willing to entertain alternatives as his talks continue.

Poland's Robert Lewandowski. Source: AFP

A dream move for Lewandowski could be Champions League winners Real Madrid, but the boyhood Liverpool fan is believed to be interested in reuniting with former boss Jurgen Klopp at Anfield if and when the Reds return to Europe’s top football competition.

The 27-year-old may yet sign a new deal if other offers don’t eventuate, but it is understood he feels in need of a new challenge.

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp. Source: AFP

While Lewandowski could eventually arrive at Liverpool, the fate of Martin Skrtel looks decided.

The Daily Mail reported that the Slovakian central-defender is joining Turkish side Fenerbahce in a £5.5million deal after Euro 2016. The 31-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield, but also drew interest from Wolfsburg, Beskitas and China.

Mithat Halis, Skrtel’s representative, said: “Fenerbahce have been interested for four years but there are also offers from China and Wolfsburg also want him.”

Slovakia's Martin Skrtel (L). Source: AP

A-LEAGUE NEWS

After Central Coast Mariners announced the departure of winter Mitch Austin after his maiden season, Fox Sports understands that the exciting 25-year-old is off to Melbourne Victory.

The mooted move could see Victory flyer Connor Pain switch to Gosford as well.

Watch this space ...

PEDRO WANTS BARCA RETURN

Chelsea forward Pedro says he has held initial talks about a return to Barcelona after just a single season at Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old, who is currently on international duty with Spain at Euro 2016, was signed for £22m from Barca last summer, but struggled to make an impact during his debut season in the Premier League.

“Hopefully (I can return to Barcelona) but I know it’s hard,” Pedro told beIN Sports.

“I have already spoken about it with the president (Josep Maria Bartomeu) when we (Barcelona) were in the (Cup) final (when Barcelona beat Sevilla 2-0 last month) and spoke to all the people who want me there.

“It’s complicated, but I’ve always said that I would like to retire at Barcelona. However, I know it’s difficult because the years go by and the club has the best players in the world, it is a very demanding club and to return is complicated. But I do not rule it out either.”

Chelsea's midfielder Pedro. Source: AFP

Chelsea have had a £32m bid rejected by Valencia for their Portugal international Andre Gomes, according to Sky sources.

Valencia are believed to want to generate £32m from his sale for themselves, and are therefore holding out for approximately £42m. Apparently Benfica are due to receive 25 per cent of any transfer fee Valencia receive for the player who only arrived at the Mestalla Stadium 12 months ago. But Sky sources say Chelsea have not yet been prepared to increase their offer and are now considering their next move.

Portugal's Andre Gomes (L). Source: AFP

In another blow for the Blues, Roma are set to hand Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan a big new contract to keep him at the club according to Express. The club is willing to up his weekly wage from £70,000 to £100,000.

It might not help strengthen their attack, but Conte is reportedly making moves to sure up his defence.

Chelsea are expected to land Juventus and Italy star defender Leonardo Bonucci after Euro 2016 according to Corriere dello Sport - but Pep Guardiola apparently also wants to bring the player to Manchester City. That’s lead to Juve reportedly placing a huge €60 million ($91 million) price tag on the 29-year-old’s head.

Italy's defender Leonardo Bonucci. Source: AFP

But if that deal doesn’t eventuate, then the Blues are also considering a move for Roma centre-back Antonio Rudiger this summer, according to Repubblica.it. Chelsea have valued the player at €20 million, but Giallorossi reported Roma are keen to keen him until after next season.

And it seems Chelsea will face competition to sign another defensive target in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The 24-year-old is also now reportedly being chased by Bayern Munich with a fee of €30 million being banded around.

Further back between the sticks, Chelsea are also in talks to sign Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda according to the Guardian. Asmir Begovic may be set to leave Stamford Bridge, so the Frenchman, who is off contract at the end of this month, would act as a back-up to no. 1 Thibaut Courtois next season.

France's goalkeeper Steve Mandanda. Source: AFP

MOURINHO’S MISERY

Manchester United transfer target Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be allowed to leave Borussia Dortmund until his contract runs out.

The Bundesliga club’s chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke says the 27-year-old, who is said to be keen on linking up with Jose Mourinho’s side, must see out his current deal at the Westfalenstadion. According to Sky sources Mourinho enquired about the Armenian’s availability but were told he is not for sale this summer.

Speaking to ESPN, Watzke said: “We have been negotiating a new deal with Henrikh Mkhitaryan for four months.

“We now know he won’t sign an extension. There was never a promise that he can leave us prematurely.

“We have intensely discussed the question of an early transfer in all club bodies and came to the conclusion that Mkhitaryan will stay in Dortmund next season.”

Watzke’s comments came after Mino Raiola, Mkhitaryan’s agent, told German newspaper Bild that the club had promised the Armenia international he would be allowed a move in the summer.

Borussia Dortmund's Henrikh Mkhitaryan (R). Source: Reuters

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could miss the first two games of Manchester United’s Premier League season after he was named in Sweden’s provisional squad for the Rio Olympics.

The talismanic forward was included in Hakan Ericson’s 35-man squad for the Games, which run from August 5-22, and where the men’s football teams will be made up of predominantly U23 players, with an allowance for some older players.

The squad will be trimmed to 22 for Rio - where Sweden face Nigeria, Colombia and Japan in Group B - and Ericson says the chances that Ibrahimovic will be part of the final squad are ‘not so great, but there is still a hope’.

Ericson added: “It could be a new phase in his career; and Zlatan has said that he is willing to wait until after the Euros (to decide). I want to keep open the tiniest gap that might exist, because it would be fantastic to bring Zlatan.”

Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Source: AFP

Fenerbahce midfielder Nani was linked with a return to Old Trafford, but now it seems a move to Inter Milan is more likely. Speaking after Portugual’s 1-1 draw with Iceland on Tuesday night, the 29-year-old refused to play down talks of a post-Euro 2016 move: “A move to Inter? Who knows”. While Nani could leave the Turkish side, IB Times reported that Juan Mata could be set for a loan move to Fenerbahce.

But in a positive for United supporters, David de Gea looks almost certain to stay at the club as the release clause in his contract expired at midnight 15 June (UK time). The Spaniard almost moved to Real Madrid before the deal fell through on deadline day due to an administrative error, but since then he signed a new contract at Old Trafford until 2019. He insisted a release clause of 50 million euros was inserted in the contract, but it hasn’t been activated.

Spain's goalkeeper David De Gea. Source: AFP

EURO STAR SET FOR HUGE MOVE

Slovakia coach Jan Kozak has tipped Marek Hamsik to “play for a very big club” after the midfielder inspired their 2-1 Euro 2016 defeat of Russia on Wednesday.

Hamsik created the opening goal for Vladimir Weiss before masterfully curling their second into the top-right corner to revive their hopes of reaching the competition’s knockout stage.

“(Hamsik) is one of the leaders of this team along with Martin Skrtel,” said Kozak, according to Uefa.com. “His performance was superb. He helped a lot in defence and scored a beautiful goal which was a major contribution to our victory.

“I don’t know whether we will be here long enough for him to become one of the top players of the finals, but what we can say is that he has matured as a person and as a player at Napoli - he is ready to play for a very big club.”

Sunderland forward Emanuele Giaccherini is being chased by a number of Serie A sides, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italy international scored the opener in his country’s 2-0 win over Belgium in Euro 2016 on Monday.

As a result, the likes of Bologna, who took the player on loan last season, Fiorentina and Torino all want to sign him this summer.

RANIERI TO STAY

Daily Star reported that Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri will sign a new big-money deal after Euro 2016 to tie him to the Premier League champions until 2018.

The Italian’s next signing could be in the form of Norwich winger Robbie Brady according to The Times. The Republic of Ireland international has two more years left on his current deal with the recently relegated Canaries.

KOEMAN’S FIRST EVERTON MOVES

Romelu Lukaku has voiced his desire to play in the Champions League, but he could yet stay at Goodison Park.

Everton are set to offer the forward a bumper new deal to try and keep him at the club according to the Daily Mail.

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku (L). Source: AP

The new boss is also set to make Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul his first signing to replace the departed Tim Howard reported the Daily Express. Meanwhile Koeman is apparently also planning a swoop for Belgium and Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Axel Witsel, but will face competition from Napoli and Roma for his signature.Though if that move falls through then Koeman may also consider making a bid for Roma’s Kevin Strootman who would command a fee of around £30 million.

Belgium's midfielder Axel Witsel (L). Source: AFP

DONE DEALS

Middlesbrough have agreed a deal to sign defender Bernardo Espinosa on a free transfer.

The 26-year-old Colombian will officially join Boro on July 1 when his current contract at Spanish side Sporting Gijon expires.

He becomes Aitor Karanka’s second signing of the summer after Danish winger Viktor Fischer agreed to join the newly-promoted Premier League side from Ajax.

Denis Cheryshev has returned to former club Villarreal after completing his move from Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old forward has signed a five-year deal at Villarreal after they agreed a fee, believed to be around £8m, with Madrid.

Cheryshev failed to establish himself as a first-team regular at the Santiago Bernabeu after rising through Madrid’s youth system, impressing in their ‘B’ team.

BITES

- Yaya Toure is ready to see out the final year of his £220,000-a-week contract at Manchester City, according to the Mirror. The 33-year-old was set to be one of the first casualties of Pep Guardiola’s regime at the Etihad, he still hopes to stay at the club for 2016/17.

- But Guardiola is targetting Spain and Celta Vigo winger Nolito in a £14 million transfer according to The Sun.

- Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has dismissed claims the club are trying to force out Mario Gotze as “complete fiction” and threatened legal action against anyone making the allegations, according to the club’s website.

- Edinson Cavani looks set to pen a new deal with Paris Saint-Germain according to Sky Italia. He was previously linked with a move to Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

- Bournemouth have accepted a £3m offer from Aston Villa for club captain Tommy Elphick. Should Elphick join Villa, it will be the first signing of new manager Roberto Di Matteo’s tenure after he was officially unveiled as the club’s new manager on Wednesday.