Ronaldo prefers Lewandowski over Kane, Arsenal identify Wenger's replacement, Manchester United's five-man summer shortlist and more: Transfer round-up, March 1, 2018

Good evening and welcome to Sportskeeda's latest transfer news and rumours roundup. Despite the season now entering its business end, top clubs are also keeping their eyes open on potential transfer targets.

And as always, there are stories which make headlines irrespective of the transfer window being open or shut. Though the transfer world has been slow today to churn out news, we have managed to get a bunch of stories that made headlines on March 1, 2018:

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La Liga

Cristiano Ronaldo wants Robert Lewandowski ahead of Harry Kane

If the good folks at Diario Gol are to be believed, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly told the Real Madrid top brass that he wants Robert Lewandowski over Harry Kane at the Bernabeu next season. Both the strikers are linked with a move to Spain but the club talisman has now made his intentions clear.

Real Madrid have long been courting Lewandowski who is also inclined towards a move to Madrid. Bayern Munich want €150 million for the Polish hitman but Madrid are ready to include James Rodriguez in the deal which will lessen Lewandowski's price by close to €50 million.

Marco Asensio happy to fight for his place at Real Madrid

The Real Madrid forward has cleared the air over his future and has ultimately ended a number of clubs' wish to sign him in the summer. He was said to be unhappy over his role at Madrid but in a promotional video with Nike, Asensio has now revealed his future plans.

The Spaniard was quoted by Goal as saying, "I've always been able to score goals and I have come to Madrid to stay and score many goals." Despite not starting prominently, Asensio has racked up 10 goals in all competitions.

Serie A

All is not well at Chelsea

Willian on AC Milan's radar

The Brazilian winger has been Chelsea's saviour in the past few weeks. But he has not been a regular starter for the Blues this season which has led him to be linked with an exit at the end of the season.

The Daily Star has claimed AC Milan to be the favourites to sign him in the summer with Manchester United also being interested in the forward.

Juventus set one-week deadline to sign Emre Can

Despite having a concrete interest in the player for the past few months, Juventus have still not managed to lure Emre Can into signing a pre-contract agreement with them. Gazzetta Dello Sport understands that the Bianconeri top brass has given Can and his representatives one week's time to think about the final offer from the club.

Juventus have reportedly offered the German midfielder a five-year deal which will see him earn €5 million per year in wages.

Bundesliga

Bayern Munich are yet to take a call on James Rodriguez

Arsenal want Julian Nagelsmann as Arsene Wenger's replacement

According to the Daily Star, Arsenal have zeroed in on the candidate that they want at the helm next summer. It is reportedly a matter of when (and not if) Wenger will be sacked at the end of the campaign.

The Gunners hierarchy have identified Julian Nagelsmann, the 30-year-old Hoffenheim manager to take over from the Frenchman. He is highly rated by the club's head of recruitment Sven Mislintat and his footballing philosophy has also impressed the Arsenal decision makers.

Bayern Munich yet to decide on James Rodriguez's permanent deal

Despite reports suggesting that Real Madrid are looking to use Rodriguez as a makeweight to sign Robert Lewandowski in the summer, Bayern Munich are in no hurry to get the Colombian signed up on a permanent basis. Bayern can sign Rodriguez for €42 million at the end of his two-year loan spell.

Revealing the club's stance to Bayern TV (quoted by Goal), chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said, "We will wait and see what happens and decide what to do. However, that won't happen in 2018 because we have plenty of time to decide and the purchasing option won't expire."

Premier League

Jack Wilshere ready to quit

Manchester United draw up midfielders' shortlist

Jose Mourinho reportedly wants to sign two midfielders this summer. With Michael Carrick set to retire and Marouane Fellaini being disillusioned at the club, United have drawn up a five-man shortlist out of which the club hopes to sign two midfielders.

The Daily Mail has claimed that the likes of Toni Kroos, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Victor Wanyama, Jean Michael Seri and Jorginho are on United's radar. Along with the five midfielders, United are also interested in taking Chelsea's Willian on board.

Jack Wilshere set to leave Arsenal

Jack Wilshere is not happy with the club's stance over his contract talks and is set to leave the club in the summer. The Sun understands that Wilshere is stunned by Arsenal's demands of taking a 25% pay cut to the £120,000 per week package that he is currently on. The midfielder has proved his fitness this season by making 20 appearances but has been left frustrated by the Gunners' stance.

Rest of the world

Thibaut Courtois' father met PSG officials this week

Paris Saint Germain contact Thibaut Courtois

PSG are set to rival Real Madrid for the signature of Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois. Belgian TV channel RTBF has claimed which has been further reported by Evening Standard that PSG officials met Thierry Courtois, the goalkeeper's father on Monday informally to discuss a summer move.

Courtois has delayed talks of signing an extension with Chelsea as he is looking for a move abroad. The Blues are set to offer him a new deal which will see him earn in excess of £200,000 per week but it is believed that PSG are set to match any offer that is being offered to the Belgian custodian.

Liverpool and FC Barcelona to battle it out for Lyon's Houssem Aouar

Goal has reported that both Liverpool and Barcelona have been impressed by the progress shown by Lyon's latest sensation, Houssem Aouar. Since making his debut in April, Aouar has excelled seamlessly and has made 17 league starts this season. The teenager is predicted to have a bright future and is set to cause a transfer battle in the coming months.